Rivers State Speaker Says Assembly Will Not Back Down on Impeachment Proceedings

Rivers State Speaker Says Assembly Will Not Back Down on Impeachment Proceedings

The Rivers State House of Assembly has vowed to continue impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh, accusing them of gross misconduct and violations of the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule said state lawmakers would rather resign than remain powerless to enforce the constitution. He emphasized that the ongoing crisis is not a personal dispute between the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, but rather a constitutional issue.

“For his infractions on the constitution, they are clapping for him, rather than calling on the governor,” Amaewhule said. “It is not FCT minister and the governor; it is the governor and the constitution. The governor is a threat to our democracy. It is better we all resign than allow this to continue.”

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The Assembly formally read a notice of allegations of gross misconduct, endorsed by 26 lawmakers, citing actions by Governor Fubara that allegedly contravene constitutional provisions. The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented the governor’s allegations, while the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read allegations against the deputy governor.

The renewed impeachment proceedings come amid a heightened political crisis in Rivers State, following prior allegations against Governor Fubara, including extra-budgetary spending, demolition of the Assembly complex, withholding of Assembly Service Commission funds, and non-compliance with Supreme Court directives on legislative autonomy.

Amaewhule questioned the relevance of the legislature under the current circumstances, asking, “We sit here, elected people, and we cannot enforce the constitution. Then why are we here? Why were we elected?”

The Speaker concluded by pledging that the Assembly would follow the impeachment process through, warning that lawmakers would not allow the governor and deputy governor to act unchecked.

The escalation of the crisis has further intensified political tensions across Rivers State, drawing attention from both state and national stakeholders.

Rivers State Speaker Says Assembly Will Not Back Down on Impeachment Proceedings