The Rivers State Government has accused members of the Rivers State House of Assembly of collecting ₦350 million from former Sole Administrator, Ibok Ibas for constituency projects, funds it says were not appropriated for.
The allegation comes amid the Assembly’s rejection of the state government’s proposed ₦100,000 support package for civil servants. The lawmakers had turned down the offer, claiming the funds were not appropriated for, and accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of illegal spending.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Darlington Orji, described the lawmakers’ action as hypocritical. He alleged that the same Assembly members who rejected the governor’s proposal had earlier received ₦350 million from the former sole administrator without raising concerns about appropriation.
Orji further accused the lawmakers of accepting a Range Rover vehicle from Ibas, questioning why they did not reject what he described as unappropriated gifts.
According to him, the lawmakers are acting out a script written by external forces, adding that some members of the Assembly are unhappy with the role they are being made to play in the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has yet to respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
