How 26 Pro-Wike Rivers Lawmakers Received N350Million Each For Projects Never Executed [PICS]
Fresh allegations have surfaced from within the Rivers State Government House over what has been described as a questionable release of constituency project funds to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly during the emergency rule era.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that at least 26 lawmakers said to be aligned with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, allegedly received ₦350 million each in September 2025 for constituency projects.
The total amount involved is estimated at ₦10.5 billion, but government insiders claim that none of the projects tied to the payments have been executed across the affected constituencies.
Memo allegedly backed payment for 30 lawmakers
Documents reviewed by SaharaReporters reportedly show that the funds were approved and released on September 12, 2025.
A memo dated the same day, said to have been signed by Engr. Atemea K. Briggs, Special Adviser on Works, was addressed to the then Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), seeking approval for constituency project funding for 30 members of the Assembly.
The memo reportedly requested a total sum of ₦10.5 billion, representing ₦350 million per lawmaker, describing the projects as part of efforts to extend government presence to grassroots communities.
Sources said the request was allegedly approved almost immediately, with funds thereafter paid into accounts linked to companies nominated by the legislators.
Contractors allegedly inactive, dormant or suspicious
However, checks carried out in several communities reportedly show that the constituency projects listed under the arrangement have not taken off, raising concerns about what happened to the money.
Government sources alleged that many of the contractors tied to the projects are either inactive, non-operational, or suspected to be shell companies with little evidence of real business activity.
Investigators were said to have struggled to confirm physical office locations or proof of capacity for some of the firms listed to handle the projects.
Projects spread across several constituencies
The constituency projects allegedly approved cut across multiple local government areas and involved a wide range of proposals such as town halls, civic centres, classroom blocks, ICT facilities, police quarters, electricity projects and market infrastructure.
Some of the areas listed include Abua/Odual, Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Asari-Toru, Ahoada East, Emohua, Etche, Eleme, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, Ikwerre, Omumma, Gokana, Tai, Khana, Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor.
Despite the detailed project list, SaharaReporters said it could not independently confirm the execution of the projects.
Allegations emerge amid Rivers political crisis
The claims are coming at a time Rivers State remains politically tense following the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
The dispute led to the declaration of emergency rule in March 2025, a move that suspended the regular workings of the state’s political structure until it was lifted on September 17, 2025, effective from midnight.
Fubara later returned to Port Harcourt and resumed official duties at the Government House.
In another development months after the emergency rule was lifted, impeachment proceedings were reportedly initiated against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, with lawmakers accusing them of gross misconduct.
