By Ayo Kehinde
Political tension heightened in Rivers State on Thursday as the House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct. The impeachment move was initiated during a plenary session presided over by House Speaker Martins Amaewhule, where the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against the governor on the floor of the House.
Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Hon. Jack outlined several counts of alleged gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The accusations include the alleged demolition of the House of Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending without legislative approval, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court judgment regarding the financial autonomy of the legislature.
The Majority Leader disclosed that 26 members of the House signed the impeachment notice, meeting the constitutional threshold required to begin the process.
Following the presentation of the notice, Speaker Amaewhule announced that the allegations would be formally served on the governor within seven days, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Moments later, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against Prof. Odu include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, and alleged connivance in allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy government offices without proper screening or approval by the legitimate Assembly.
Other allegations levelled against the deputy governor include approaching another group for budgetary approval instead of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the alleged seizure of salaries and allowances due to lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
This development represents a major escalation in the protracted political standoff between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, raising fresh concerns about governance and political stability in the oil-rich state.
Under constitutional provisions, Governor Fubara and his deputy are expected to respond to the allegations once they are formally served, after which the House will determine the next steps in the impeachment process.
