The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, escalating the political crisis in the state.
The move was announced during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule. The Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally presented a notice of allegations citing gross misconduct against the governor, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
Jack outlined seven allegations against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on the financial autonomy of the legislature.
A total of 26 lawmakers signed the notice. Following its presentation, the Speaker directed that the allegations be served on the governor within seven days, as required by law.
In a related development, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, also presented a notice of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against Odu include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstruction of the House from carrying out its constitutional duties, and colluding to allow unauthorised persons to occupy offices without due screening by the Assembly.
Other claims allege that the deputy governor sought budgetary approval from an unauthorised group instead of the recognised Assembly, and was involved in the seizure of salaries and allowances meant for lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
The commencement of the impeachment process signals a deepening standoff between the executive and the legislature in Rivers State.
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