The spokesman of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Enemi George, has explained why state legislators returned the Christmas gift from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, George stated that the money was rejected to avoid legal repercussions.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier returned a N100,000 payment credited to their accounts, describing the funds as unapproved and unsolicited.

On the rationale behind the rejection, the Assembly spokesman said, “We rejected that money on principle. There is no constitutional provision for it. How would one even justify it? The budget passed by the National Assembly does not include any Christmas gift.

“We didn’t reject it because the amount was too small. We rejected it because I do not want to go to prison. There is no constitutional backing for such money. Public funds do not belong to my father, mother, or sister—they belong to the people of Rivers State.”