Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have rejected the N100,000 Christmas bonus paid to them by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the gesture as irregular and unauthorised.
The lawmakers said the funds were credited to their personal bank accounts without legislative approval, insisting that the payment did not follow due process.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Assembly said the money was unsolicited and was promptly refunded to the state government’s account shortly after the alerts were received.
The statement was signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George, who said the Assembly would not associate itself with any action capable of breaching the law.
George explained that although the governor had approved a festive bonus for civil servants and some public office holders, lawmakers were neither consulted nor formally included before the payment was extended to them.
He stressed that the House remained bound by the Constitution and principles of accountability, adding that all public spending must receive legislative backing.
The lawmaker further accused the governor of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without approval since assuming office in 2023, despite warnings and existing court judgments.
The Assembly cautioned public officers against participating in actions that violate financial regulations, noting that transparency and adherence to due process must guide government expenditure in the state.