Allegations of ₦10.5bn Constituency Project Scam Rock Pro-Wike Rivers Lawmakers

Fresh allegations of large-scale financial impropriety have emerged from Rivers State, as reports indicate that at least 26 members of the State House of Assembly aligned with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, allegedly received huge sums of money for constituency projects that were never executed. The revelations, published by SaharaReporters, have further deepened the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

According to documents and financial records reviewed by the investigative platform, the affected lawmakers allegedly received ₦350 million each in September 2025, purportedly to execute constituency projects in their respective areas. The total amount disbursed for the projects is estimated at about ₦10.5 billion. However, investigations and on-the-ground checks reportedly show that none of the approved projects have been carried out.

Sources within the Rivers State Government House disclosed that the payments were made during the period of emergency rule in the state, when normal democratic structures were suspended. Rivers State was placed under emergency rule in March 2025 following a prolonged and violent political confrontation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which paralysed governance and threatened public order.

Documents obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that the funds were approved through a formal memorandum dated September 12, 2025. The memo was signed by the Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Atemea K. Briggs, and addressed to the then Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.). In the memo, approval was sought for the release of ₦10.5 billion as constituency project funds for 30 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, at the rate of ₦350 million per lawmaker.

The memorandum justified the request on the grounds that the projects would help “bring governance closer to the people,” noting that 26 out of the 30 lawmakers had already submitted lists of proposed projects and nominated private firms to execute them. Records show that approval was granted on the same day the memo was submitted, and funds were subsequently released into bank accounts linked to the nominated companies.

However, subsequent investigations raised serious red flags. SaharaReporters reported that many of the companies listed as contractors were either inactive, dormant, or suspected to be shell entities with no verifiable track record. Some of the firms were allegedly incorporated shortly before the funds were released, while others could not be physically located or shown to have the capacity to handle projects worth hundreds of millions of naira.

A detailed list of the approved projects was attached to the memo, covering virtually all corners of the state. The projects ranged from the construction of cottage hospitals, town halls, civic centres, and classroom blocks to road pavements, electrification schemes, ICT parks, police posts, and transformers. Despite the ambitious scope of the projects and the substantial funds allocated, no evidence of execution has reportedly been found in any of the affected constituencies.

Local residents in several communities named in the project list reportedly told investigators that no such projects had commenced, let alone been completed. This has fueled public outrage and renewed accusations that constituency projects are often used as a conduit for looting public funds rather than delivering development to grassroots communities.

The scandal comes at a politically sensitive time in Rivers State. Emergency rule was lifted by President Bola Tinubu on September 17, 2025, with Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly scheduled to resume duties the following day. Governor Fubara returned to Port Harcourt on September 19, 2025, amid a show of support from his loyalists.

However, tensions quickly resurfaced. On January 8, 2026, impeachment proceedings were formally initiated against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, allegations of gross misconduct were read against the governor, with at least 26 lawmakers—many of them reportedly beneficiaries of the controversial constituency funds—signing the impeachment notice.

Although four lawmakers initially withdrew their support and called for dialogue, they later reversed their position and insisted that the impeachment process should continue, further complicating the political landscape.

The allegations of unexecuted constituency projects have added a new and troubling dimension to the Rivers crisis, raising serious questions about accountability, transparency, and the true motivations behind the ongoing impeachment plot. As pressure mounts from civil society groups and the public, many Nigerians are calling for a thorough investigation into the disbursement and use of the ₦10.5 billion, warning that failure to do so could further erode public trust in democratic institutions.