The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, signaling the commencement of impeachment proceedings against them.
Twenty-six members of the state House of Assembly made the misconduct allegation against Gov. Fubara in a notice sent to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, on Monday.
According to the lawmakers, their action complies with Section 188 of the 1999 constitution and other existing laws.
They accused Gov. Fubara of several offences including reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the assembly’s activities, and appointing individuals to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.
Other allegations include withholding the salaries, allowances, and funds meant for the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as seizing the salary of the Clerk, Emeka Amadi.
The lawmakers also accused the deputy governor of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.”
Upon receiving the notice, Speaker Amaewhule forwarded it to Gov. Fubara, stating that the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
He then asked the governor to respond to the allegations, referencing Section 188(3) of the constitution.
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The section states “within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”
Amaewhule also advised the governor to act accordingly.
Speculations have been high that the governor could be removed from office, especially following a recent Supreme Court ruling that recognized 27 lawmakers loyal the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, who has been at odds with Gov. Fubara, recently commented on the political crisis in the state, stating that impeachment is a constitutional process.
“Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” Wike said during a media chat last week.
He scoffed at threats of consequences over the planned impeachment of Gov. Fubara, saying the sky isn’t going to fall if he is impeached.
