Indications emerged on Monday that Rivers lawmakers have begun moves to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
This is as the lawmakers have accused the two of gross misconduct and consequently sent a notice.
No fewer than 26 of the lawmakers were reported to have raised the allegation in a notice sent to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and obtained by Channels Television.
The lawmakers said their action was in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws.
Among others, the lawmakers accused the governor of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly and the appointment of persons to occupy offices or positions in the state without following due process.
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The lawmakers added that Fubara’s sins included 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.
They accused the deputy governor of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation.”
The Speaker has, according to report, forwarded the notice to Governor Fubara, pointing out that the allegation was raised by not less than one-third of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Fubara was asked to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’ accordingly.”
The Speaker added: “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’.”
