Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has clarified that the state treasury contained about N600 billion at the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, countering claims surrounding the state’s finances during the period.
Governor Fubara explained that his administration had left over N300 billion in the state’s accounts before the emergency rule commenced, while the former administrator, Vice Admiral Ibot-Eke Ibas (retd.), left approximately N600 billion when the emergency rule ended.
The emergency rule lasted from March 18 to September 18, after which normal governance was restored.
Fubara spoke during the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road linking Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas. The road project was initiated by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and later redesigned by the current administration.
The governor made the clarification following repeated claims by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, that the former administrator left N600 billion in the state’s coffers.
According to Fubara, his administration has maintained detailed financial records and will soon make them public to ensure transparency and accountability. He stressed that his government would not be linked to any form of financial impropriety.
“When we left during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over N300 billion, and when we came back, we met about N600 billion. Every penny that we are spending, the records are there, and the evidence will be shown between now and the next six months,” he said.
Fubara added that integrity remains one of his strongest personal values, noting that no one could credibly associate him with fraudulent activities.
“If there is one thing I am proud of, it is that nobody can associate me with anything bad or fraudulent. Your money and the record of how it is being spent are intact,” he stated.
The governor also explained his administration’s approach to project execution, saying it avoids unnecessary expenditure on ceremonial flag-offs.
“We don’t believe in flagging-off projects unless it is absolutely necessary. We prefer commissioning completed projects so we can save money and show the people tangible results of how their funds were used,” he said.
Fubara assured residents that all financial records are available for scrutiny at any time, reaffirming his commitment to transparency, accountability, and impactful governance in Rivers State.
