By Joy Yesufu
The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Thursday as the House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The move was announced during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, where the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice of allegations against the governor.
Citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jack outlined seven counts of alleged gross misconduct against Fubara.
The accusations include the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditure, withholding of statutory 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 impeachment notice against the governor.
Following the presentation of the notice, Speaker Amaewhule disclosed that the allegations would be served on Governor Fubara within seven days, in line with constitutional provisions.
In a related development, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of alleged gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against Odu include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, and collusion to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy public offices without proper screening by the legislature.
She was also accused of seeking budgetary approval from an alternative group rather than the constitutionally recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as withholding salaries and allowances due to members of the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
The impeachment notices mark a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
Details later…
