After lawmakers in the oil-rich state accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu of gross misconduct on Monday, the political crisis in Rivers increased.
The allegations were made by 26 Rivers Assembly members in two letters sent to speaker Martin Amaewhule and later shared with Fubara and his deputy.
According to them, the action was “in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other existing laws,” which require that at least one-third of the House members sign such allegations and give specifics about the misconduct.  ,
In accordance with Section 188 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the letters, signed by the 26 lawmakers, were presented during the plenary session on Monday. Within seven days of receiving the notices, the Speaker is required to deliver them to all House members and office holders.
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Reckless spending, other Fubara-related allegations, and Deputy Governor’s behavior
In separate notices sent to the governor and deputy governor, the allegations were detailed, listing five specific instances of gross misconduct.
The lawmakers also charged Fubara with appointing people to positions or offices in the Rivers State Government without requiring screening and confirmation, as well as reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, blocking or obstructing one of the government’s branches, and other things.
The Rivers governor is also accused of trespassing on the salaries of the Rivers State House of Assembly’s Clerk, Emeka Amadi, and other individuals.
They also accused Odu of “supporting and facilitating the unlawful appointment of people to occupy offices or positions in the Rivers State Government without the need for screening and confirmation.”
Meanwhile, Amaewhule, who gave the notices to Governor Fubara and his deputy, said “not less than one-third (1/3) of the Rivers State House of Assembly” received the official notice on Monday.
In the letter that came with the allegations, Speaker Amaewhule directed them to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said “Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct” accordingly.
In a letter sent to Fubara, the speaker wrote, “Your attention is drawn to the provisions of Section 188 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which state that the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any discussion, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”
The political tensions in Rivers State are significantly heightened by Monday’s development. However, it’s unclear how the state’s governor and his deputy will respond to these accusations or how to withstand the pressure from the legislature.
FUBARA, DEP, AND ALL OF ITS ALLEGATIONS CAN BE READ IN FULL. GOV
Source: Channels TV
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