Amaewhule Accuses Fubara of Misappropriating N600bn, Says Rivers Assembly Not for Sale

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of misappropriating over N600 billion allegedly left in the state’s coffers after the period of emergency rule.

Amaewhule made the allegation on Tuesday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, claiming that the funds were being used to divide the state legislature.

According to the Speaker, the money was handed over by the outgoing administrator at the end of the emergency rule, but has since been deployed by the governor to influence lawmakers.

“The outgoing administrator during the emergency rule left over N600 billion in the account of Rivers State,” Amaewhule said.

“The governor has been spending it to divide the Assembly and buy the members. The governor needs to know that members are not for sale.”

Amaewhule further accused Governor Fubara of spending public funds and awarding contracts without the approval of the House of Assembly.

He alleged that since September, the governor had embarked on expenditures without legislative backing, awarding contracts to associates and publicly celebrating them.

“Since September, when we met, the governor has been spending without our approval, awarding contracts to his cronies and celebrating it on social media,” he said.

The Speaker also claimed that beneficiaries of the alleged contracts were using social media platforms to mock members of the Assembly.

“Governor Fubara is awarding contracts to his supporters, and they are celebrating on social media, mocking us,” Amaewhule added.