Rivers Assembly Demands Accountability from PAMO University

The Rivers State Assembly is embroiled in a controversy regarding the N6bn allocated to PAMO University of Medical Sciences for scholarships in the 2026 budget. The Assembly, having passed a budget of over N1.8 trillion submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 3, rejected the N6bn allocation, citing a lack of transparency from the university's management, which is led by Pro-Chancellor Dr. Peter Odili.

Following the budget's approval, the Assembly formed a committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol to investigate the funds disbursed to the university since 2017. The committee invited the Vice Chancellor, State Accountant General, and other officials to appear on September 24, after they failed to show up on September 16.

However, university lawyer Chukwuma Chinwo stated that the Vice Chancellor would not appear, arguing that the Assembly overstepped its authority since it did not appropriate any funds to the university. He emphasized the legality of their position and warned against setting a precedent.