Tension has heightened in Rivers State as the State House of Assembly prepares to serve an impeachment notice on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, claim Governor Fubara has failed to demonstrate genuine intent to implement the recent Supreme Court ruling, accusing him of playing to the gallery rather than respecting the rule of law.
In a notice yet to be debated but obtained by a national television station, the lawmakers cited Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the House to issue and deliberate on impeachment proceedings.
The notice accuses Fubara of gross misconduct, particularly in relation to the alleged unauthorized expenditure of public funds, which the lawmakers say violates Sections 120, 121, and 122 of the Constitution.
Similarly, a separate notice is being prepared against Deputy Governor Ngozi Ordu, with lawmakers insisting both officials have acted contrary to constitutional provisions in the discharge of their duties.
The pro-Wike faction of the Assembly had earlier issued Governor Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to re-present the 2025 budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
The budget had previously been presented to a rival faction of the House loyal to Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Despite efforts by Governor Fubara to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive, reports indicate he was prevented from accessing the Assembly complex to re-present the budget.
In a twist, Speaker Amaewhule on Friday announced that the Assembly had adjourned its plenary indefinitely following a session held at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt.
The impeachment notice, titled “Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct Brought Pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999”, was reportedly signed by several lawmakers.
It reads in part: “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”
With political tensions rising, all eyes are on the Rivers Assembly as the power tussle in the oil-rich state intensifies.
Credit: New Telegraph except headline
