The feud between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, and members of the state’s assembly has taken a new turn.
In a statement issued by Enemi Alabo George, chairman of the house committee on information and petitions, the lawmakers said they received a credit alert of N100,000 each on Fubara’s instructions.
The legislators, who are loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the sum was “unapproved and unsolicited”.
The lawmakers said they have taken “immediate steps to formally return the said funds to the account of the Rivers State Government”.
“Upon discovery of these unsolicited and unapproved transfers, Honourable Members of the House took immediate steps to formally return the said funds to the account of the Rivers State Government,” the statement reads.
“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers state house of assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval.
“The Governor, since assumption of office in 2023 has consistently drawn from the consolidated revenue accounts of Rivers State without legislative approval despite repeated warnings from the House, judgement of the supreme court and in defiance of the Constitution and principles of separation of powers.
“Therefore, with the leave of Mr Speaker and the entire House, I seize this medium to once again draw the attention of all staff of the Rivers State Government who connive with the Governor and others to contravene the Constitution and laws of Rivers State to the fact that we have become aware of their unlawful conducts.”
Since the lifting of the emergency rule on September 18, there has been a simmering cold war between Fubara and the lawmakers.
Recently, the legislators accused Fubara of unapproved spending.
