The protracted political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, took a fresh turn on Tuesday as the State House of Assembly rejected a N100,000 Christmas gift credited to lawmakers’ bank accounts on the governor’s directive.
The lawmakers described the payment as unsolicited and unlawful, saying it underscored the deepening rift between the executive and legislature arising from the lingering power struggle in the state.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the Assembly insisted that public funds must be expended strictly in line with constitutional provisions and with legislative approval.
Titled “Return of Unsolicited and Unapproved N100,000 Transferred to the Personal Accounts of Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Rivers State”, the statement said the funds were immediately returned.
“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of N100,000 each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the governor,” the statement read.
George accused Governor Fubara of repeatedly drawing from the state’s consolidated revenue account without legislative approval since assuming office in 2023, alleging a pattern of constitutional violations that has fuelled the crisis.
“We are aware of staff who connive with the governor to contravene the constitution and laws of Rivers State. Their actions are unlawful. We assure the good people of Rivers State that we will not relent in performing our constitutional duties,” he said.
While civil servants received similar Christmas bonuses after standard approvals, the Assembly said the transfer to lawmakers bypassed due process, heightening tensions.
The House has adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026, while Governor Fubara is yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees. Since his return from suspension, he has been governing with only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling recognising Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Meanwhile, Wike used a visit to Khana, Bori, in Khana Local Government Area, to issue what was widely seen as a warning ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although he did not mention Fubara by name, Wike cautioned Rivers residents against repeating what he described as a leadership mistake.
“As for the state, we will talk about that later. We will not make a mistake again,” he said. “Your ticket is not automatic. You have to earn it before presenting it to your people.”
Wike stressed that political loyalty in Rivers now cuts across party lines.
“For us, there’s nothing like APC or PDP; what we have is Renewed Hope. We are not voting based on party but on the fact that we belong to one political family,” he said.
He credited President Bola Tinubu for projects and interventions in Rivers, including road infrastructure, the approval of the Federal University of Environment and the presidential pardon of the Ogoni Nine.
Echoing Wike’s influence, APC National Vice Chairman (South South), Victor Giadom, declared Gokana Local Government a “no-go area” for Governor Fubara.
“For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike,” Giadom said.
Former senator Magnus Abe and Gokana council chairman Confidence Deko also pledged support for Wike, as he concluded that both APC and PDP structures in Rivers were now operating together under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, deepening the political isolation of Governor Fubara.
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