Impeachment proceedings were formally initiated against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the state’s ongoing political crisis.
The move followed a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, during which the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations and gross misconduct against the governor. Jack anchored the action on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, outlining seven allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara.
Among the accusations are the alleged demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, the withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature. A total of 26 lawmakers signed the notice endorsing the impeachment process.
After the notice was presented, the Speaker announced that it would be served on the governor within seven days, in line with constitutional provisions.
The Assembly subsequently turned its attention to the deputy governor, as the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against Odu. The allegations against her include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties, and connivance in allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate legislature.
Additional allegations claim that the deputy governor sought budgetary approval from another group rather than the Rivers State House of Assembly, and was involved in the seizure of salaries and allowances due to lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
The commencement of impeachment proceedings against both the governor and his deputy underscores the deepening rift between the executive and the legislature in Rivers State.
