Politics

Rivers Assembly begins moves to impeach Gov. Fubara, his deputy •Calls on EFCC to investigate Danagogo By Our Reporter As the power tussle between former governor of Rivers State who doubled as FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike and the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara rages on , Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have commenced moves to impeach governor Fubara from office. The 26 members of the Assembly led by Martin Amaehwule are loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and are alleged to be taking orders from him. Recalled that Wike, who was the immediate governor of Rivers State had been locked in fierce battle of who controls the state for over a year, while speaking during a civic reception in his honour by his supporters at Abalama on Saturday said he will not stop members of the assembly from carrying out their constitutional role which was pointing towards impeachment of Governor Fubara, his successor. Members of the Assembly however, in a letter addressed to the Speaker, and made available to the public, said it has passed a resolution raising impeachment allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The Assembly mandated Clerk of the house to publish a letter of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu in national dailies, in pursuant to Section 188 of 1999 Constitution (as amended). The lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds contrary to Sections 120, 121 (1)(2) and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). They alleged that the Governor from his actions, has shown that he is not prepared to govern the state in line with the constitution, citing the February 28 Supreme Court judgments against the State government. The lawmakers, among other charges also accused the governor of supervising the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly, appointing members of the state executive council without being screen by the House, and refusal to present the 2025 appropriation bill to the assembly. The letter which was addressed to the speaker of the House, Martin Amaehwule, reads; “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 Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of his 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 Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CVI1174/2024 condemned his actions when it stated that “the 8 respondents fear of impeachment by the House of Assembly is no justification for his attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State and the rule of law.” They further quoted the apex court to have ruled that, “Political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the Governor of a State or any person. What the 8 respondent has done is to destroy the government because of fear of being impeached.” Recalled that Governor Fubara said he had written to the Assembly of his intention to represent the budget before them, after being locked outside the assembly complex the first day he also went present the appropriation bill on the 12th of March, 2025. However, Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaehwule has denied receiving any letter from the governor. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaehwule has confirmed receipt of the Notice of Allegation of Gross misconduct signed by 26 members against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, wherein they listed five grounds of gross misconduct against the Governor and three grounds of Gross misconduct against the deputy with accompanying particulars. The Speaker on Monday during plenary said, he received the notice on the 14th of March, 2025 and in line Section 188 of the Constitution, he has done the needful by distributing them to Members and forwarding them to the holders of the office. But to be sure that the Governor and his deputy become aware of the notice, in the event that the letters were not received, the House resolved through a motion that the notice be published in at least three national dailies. In another development, the House through a Motion move by Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for spending humongous sums of money not back by an Appropriation Law. Commenting on the Motion, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule stated that the House resolved to invite the EFCC to help in the investigation because the Governor has barred all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State not to honour their invitation; adding that it will not deter the House from performing its constitutional duties. The House also amended its Standing Orders, making room for the House to sit at anytime and day within the week if it becomes absolutely necessary in the interest of the State, and in the event of emergency, provided the House is properly convened by the Speaker.

Published

5 months ago

on

March 18, 2025

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