RIVERS ASSEMBLY REJECTS N100,000 CHRISTMAS BONUS, CITES DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS
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The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected the sum of ₦100,000 credited into the personal bank accounts of each lawmaker as a Christmas bonus, allegedly approved by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the House described the payment as unsolicited and unapproved, insisting that all public expenditure must strictly follow due process, including prior legislative approval.
The development comes amid celebrations by civil servants in the state following the governor’s approval of a ₦100,000 Christmas bonus for public workers, a policy he has sustained for the past two years.
However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, who signed the statement, said the transfers to lawmakers did not follow constitutional procedures, prompting immediate steps to return the funds.
The statement, titled “Return of Unsolicited and Unapproved One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000) Transferred to the Personal Accounts of Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Rivers State,” accused the executive of bypassing the legislature in matters of public spending.
George alleged that since assuming office in 2023, Governor Fubara had repeatedly drawn funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without legislative approval, despite warnings from the House, a Supreme Court judgment, and the provisions of the Constitution on separation of powers.
He further claimed that some state government officials were allegedly conspiring with the governor to contravene constitutional provisions and state laws, describing such actions as unlawful.
Assuring residents of Rivers State of the Assembly’s resolve, George said the House would not relent in carrying out its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
According to the statement, lawmakers received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, adding that the Assembly considers the transfer improper and has resolved to return the funds in line with the law.
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