The Enugu State House of Assembly is grappling with a financial crisis, with lawmakers unpaid for August and September 2025, according to SaharaReporters. This follows a pattern of delayed payments under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, with salaries for January and February 2025 paid in March, and May and June paid in July. State commissioners are reportedly facing similar issues.
Lawmakers say the non-payment has disrupted Assembly operations, with one describing the situation as reducing the House to a “mere rubber-stamp Assembly.” A lawmaker told SaharaReporters, “We’re the poorest-paid House of Assembly in Nigeria. We receive the same payments as in 2015, with no constituency projects.” The lawmaker highlighted the financial strain, noting that even basic overhead funding for ministries is lacking.
Criticism also extended to Governor Mbah’s leadership, with allegations of fraudulent contract awards and lack of transparency. One lawmaker cited a reported N1 billion hack of the state’s account in January, which investigations by the police and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit found to be false, claiming instead that funds were misallocated through dubious contracts.
The lawmaker further criticized the governor for bypassing Assembly approvals, including switching banks for a N170 billion loan and purchasing substandard Chinese vehicles instead of the budgeted Toyota Prado SUVs or locally-made Innoson vehicles. “The Speaker is still using the car he had as Deputy Speaker under the previous administration,” the lawmaker added, underscoring the neglect.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about abandoned road projects, unpaid contractors, and a state debt of N170 billion, accusing the governor of reducing the Assembly to “worse than a rubber stamp.
