Lawmakers invoke constitutional provisions as 26 members sign impeachment notice against governor and deputy
The political situation in Rivers State escalated further on Thursday as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The impeachment process was set in motion during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule.
During the sitting, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Major Jack, presented a notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara. The notice, which was read on the floor of the House, was brought pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Jack outlined seven allegations against the governor, including the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditure, and the withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission.
Other allegations include the governor’s alleged refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly.
According to the lawmakers, 26 members of the Assembly endorsed the impeachment notice against the governor.
Following the presentation of the notice, Speaker Amaewhule announced that the document would be formally served on Governor Fubara within seven days, in line with constitutional requirements.
Shortly after, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, also presented a separate notice of allegations against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, accusing her of gross misconduct.
The allegations against the deputy governor include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, as well as actions said to have obstructed the House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution.
Lawmakers further accused Odu of conniving to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy government offices without proper screening by the recognised House of Assembly.
Additional claims include allegations that the deputy governor sought budgetary approvals from another group instead of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, and that she was involved in the withholding of salaries and allowances due to members of the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
The development marks another critical chapter in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, with further actions expected as the impeachment process unfolds.
More details later…
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