Fubara confirms Ibas left over N600 billion in Rivers treasury

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has confirmed that he met over N600 billion in the state treasury when he returned from his six-month suspension.

This confirms an earlier claim by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who said the former Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, left over N600 billion in the state account at the end of the emergency rule.

Governor Fubara made this known on Wednesday, while commissioning the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi road and bridge project in Ahoada East.

He also said he had left more than N300 billion in the state account before his suspension.

Governor Fubara promised that in the next six months, he will give Rivers people an account of how their money is spent.

Fubara said, “Today, I want to tell the world that when we left during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over N300bn, and when we came back, we met about N600bn.

“Every penny that we are spending the records are there, and evidence of it will be shown between now and the next six months.

“So, there is no issue with what we are doing with our money, or what we are doing with the money we met. At least nobody can take away my sincerity. I am not associated with anything that has to do with fraudulent acts.

“If there is one thing I can say and do, and I am even proud of, it is that nobody can associate me with anything that has to do with any bad thing.”

He assured residents that state resources are being used wisely.

“So, your money and the record of how it is being spent are intact. We have strong projects that we are doing.

“Maybe the reason some people believe that there is something that is happening and they are not aware of it is that we don’t believe in flagging off projects except otherwise necessary.

“We believe in commissioning them. We don’t want to spend money to fag-off projects and also spend money to commission.

“So, let’s save you the money for flagging off and entertaining when we are ready to tell you that this is what we have done with your money. Call me any day and anytime, the record is there.”

The governor explained that the Obodhi–Ozochi road project was initiated by the immediate past administration following a request by Edison Ehie and promised to extend the road.

Recall that on March 18, 2025, Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all members of the State Assembly were placed on a six-month suspension by President Bola Tinubu, following the heated political crisis that lasted over a year in the state.

In November, in what appeared to be a renewed clash between Fubara and the Assembly members, Speaker of the House Martin Amaewhule accused the Governor of refusing to use the funds left by Ibas to address the deteriorating state of government-owned schools in the state and of failing to carry out employment.

Also, last week, Amaewhule accused Fubara of spending without appropriation or approval from the State Assembly.

He further alleged that the Governor is awarding contracts to his cronies, “especially those behind the masterminding of the burning of the State Assembly Complex.”

In response, Fubara assured that education will receive a large chunk of the 2026 budget.

He also said the state government will employ staff based on the needs of the state, and not for political reasons.