Rivers State Clarifies N100,000 Christmas Bonus After Lawmakers Reject Payment
The Rivers State Government has clarified the circumstances surrounding the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus paid to public office holders, following controversy sparked by members of the State House of Assembly who rejected and refunded the funds.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Information and Communications, led by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, explained that the bonus was part of a routine end-of-year welfare package extended to civil servants, political appointees, and pensioners to ease economic pressures during the festive season.
Officials stressed that the payment had been consistently implemented over the past three years under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
The Government said the bonus was processed in line with administrative protocols and was not intended to violate financial regulations or legislative procedures.
Authorities added that the initiative was aimed at supporting workers and retirees amid rising living costs and inflation.
The clarification follows public statements by lawmakers, including Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who revealed that ₦100,000 had been credited to their personal bank accounts without prior notice or approval from the Assembly.
The Legislators described the payment as unsolicited and promptly returned the money, citing constitutional provisions requiring legislative approval for public fund expenditures.
The Lawmakers’ decision triggered Nationwide debate, with citizens divided between those praising the Assembly for upholding fiscal accountability and others questioning why similar objections were not raised in previous years when the bonus was reportedly paid.
Responding to the controversy, Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration insisted that the payment was made in good faith and urged the public not to lose sight of its objective: improving staff welfare.
Dr. Sirawoo also reiterated the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to democratic principles.
Political observers note that the episode reflects ongoing governance tensions between the executive and legislative arms in Rivers State, a politically and economically influential state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
Analysts suggest the incident highlights the need for clearer guidelines on welfare disbursement for public officials.
Despite the disagreement, the Government called for calm and constructive engagement among all stakeholders to maintain stability and public trust.
