Fubara Revokes ₦134bn Contract Awarded Under Ibas, Orders ₦20bn Refund 

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has cancelled the ₦134 billion contract awarded under the emergency rule by Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, over alleged irregularities and breach of due process.

The revocation, announced after the Rivers State Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Port Harcourt, affects the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the State Secretariat Complex previously awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

In a statement issued after the meeting, the state government ordered CCECC to refund ₦20 billion already paid as mobilisation fee.

Governor Fubara explained that the decision followed the discovery that the contract was hurriedly approved without proper evaluation, cost verification, or necessary administrative procedures.

“We cannot continue to spend public funds on projects that lack transparency or justification. Every contract in Rivers State must follow due process and deliver value for our people,” the governor said.

The governor further directed the revalidation of bidding for the secretariat renovation and three other major contracts to ensure competitive pricing and fairness in the award process.

The revocation formed part of a broader review of contracts issued during the transition period led by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who briefly oversaw the state’s affairs.

Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to accountability and prudent management of state resources, noting that public projects should serve the collective interest of Rivers people rather than political or personal gains.

“We are not stopping development, but we must ensure it is done properly. The days of impunity and inflated contracts are over,” he added.

The decision marks another major step in Governor Fubara’s effort to assert control over state governance amid ongoing political tensions between his administration and loyalists of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The government assured that legitimate contractors handling other projects will continue to receive support as long as they comply with the terms of their agreements and maintain project standards.