Port Harcourt (Nigeria): The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday commenced an impeachment process against Gov. Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State and his Deputy, Prof. Nma Odu.
At a plenary session, the House alleged gross misconduct as the basis for its move.
Section 188 of the Constitution provides for the notice of gross misconduct on Fubara and Odu within seven days.
Major Jack (APC Akuku-Toru), Majority Leader, condemned what he described as the continued refusal of the governor to respect the peace efforts of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, Fubara and his deputy had also refused to comply with the rules governing financial transparency and good governance.
“They have repeatedly breached and backtracked on the peace agreement facilitated by the president,” he said.
Mrs Linda Somiari (APC Okrika) said the gross misconduct included ‘obstructing the Rivers House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties’.
She said they were conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to positions without the House’s approval.
Somiari also mentioned non-payment of salaries and allowances, and the non-release of funds meant for lawmakers and the Clerk of the House, Mr Emeka Amadi, as part of the infractions.
She said Fubara also failed to implement financial autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary, and withheld funds meant for the running of the Assembly Service Commission, among other allegations.
Similarly, the House unanimously supported a motion sponsored by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and Sylvanus Nwanko, declining to act on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the 2026 budget.
“According to section 10 of the Rivers State fiscal responsibility law No.8 of 2010, the governor is expected to present the medium-term framework every three years.
“As we speak, the last medium-term expenditures framework was presented in 2022 by the former governor, Nysom Wike.
“Fubara and his deputy have refused to either present the Medium Term Expenditure Framework or the appropriation bill 2026.
“They have continued to illegally spend from the Consolidated funds of the state without approval,” he said.
Responding, the Speaker, Martins Amaewule, commended members for the motion, saying it was in the state’s best interest.
He promised to ensure that the House’s decision was sent to the governor and to uphold due process in the investigation.
Amaewhule also said that the notice of gross misconduct has opened up an impeachment process that would save democracy from collapsing in the state.