As had been widely anticipated by observers, the Rivers State House of Assembly has finally began moves to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing both of misconduct.
The lawmakers, who are loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike, said in a notice to Fubara that their actions are based on the Nigerian Constitution.
Wike and Fubara are embroiled in a bitter political fight after the two political allies fell out shortly after Fubara’s inauguration as governor.
Meanwhile, the notice of misconduct was signed by 26 members of the House on Monday, March 14, 2025.
The notice read, “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.”
The lawmakers accused Fubara among other things of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly which is another arm of the government, and the appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation.
Other allegations against the Rivers governor include, the seizure of salaries, allowances, and funds standing to the credit of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly and the seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly Emeka Amadi.
Consequently, the House of Assembly alleged that Governor Fubara had demonstrated his inability to govern, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and his oath of office.
“Mr. speaker, we conclude by stating that the Governor has shown that he is not prepared to govern Rivers State in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and his oath of office,’’ the lawmakers said.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule in the notice asked Fubara to within 14 days “reply to the allegations made against you in the said ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’ accordingly”.
“In doing this, your attention is drawn to the provisions of Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides thus: ‘Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice) the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated’,” the speaker said in a letter sent to Fubara.
Though the Supreme Court in a February shock decision recognised the Amaewhule-led house as the authentic Rivers Assembly, the fate of the lawmakers is still hanging in the air, following their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress. According to constitutional provisions, by virtue of their defection, they had seized to be members of the Rivers Assembly.
The appeal court is expected to pronounce on the status of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, now seeking to impeach Fubara.
In any case, a similar notice was served on the deputy governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, accusing her of complicity in the alleged misconduct.
“That Her Excellency, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State supported and connived with Sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor, Rivers State and refused to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 to the Rivers State House of Assembly contrary to Section 121(1)(2) of the Contution and disobeyed the order of the Federal High Court, which declared that, ‘thus as it stands in law, no Appropriation Bill of Rivers State has been presented neither has any of such bill being passed into law as the purported presentation, passage and signing into law of the Appropriation Bill 2024 of Rivers State is void ab initio’ and ordered him to present the Appropriation Bill 2024 to the House.
“That Her Excellency, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State supported or backed His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State in the State Executive Council meetings as they authorized or approved withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State in the 2024 financial year of Rivers State without an appropriation law duly passed by Rivers State House of Assembly, contrary to Section 120 of the Constitution,’’ the letter alleged in part.
The deputy was also given 14 days to respond to the allegations levelled against her.
cpcnews.org 