The political crisis in Rivers State has escalated as the State House of Assembly has served impeachment notices to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers, in a dramatic move, accused the state’s top officials of gross misconduct and other constitutional violations.
Allegations Against Governor Fubara and Deputy
During a plenary session on Monday, 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly signed and presented impeachment notices against the governor and his deputy. The accusations include:
- Reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds.
- Obstruction of legislative functions by interfering with the activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
- Unauthorized appointments of government officials without following the due process of legislative screening and confirmation.
- Seizure of legislative funds, including the salaries and allowances of Assembly members and the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi.
- The deputy governor’s alleged involvement in supporting illegal appointments within the state government.
These allegations were documented in separate impeachment notices addressed to both the governor and his deputy.
Legal Basis for Impeachment Process
The impeachment move, according to the lawmakers, aligns with Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), which outlines the procedure for the removal of a governor or deputy governor from office. The section requires at least one-third of House members to sign the notice of impeachment, after which the accused officeholders are given a chance to respond within 14 days.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, has officially transmitted the impeachment notices to Fubara and Odu, giving them the constitutional right to defend themselves. He emphasized that within two weeks, the House would decide whether to proceed with an official investigation into the allegations.
Reactions and Political Implications
1. Governor Fubara’s Response (Yet to Be Seen)
So far, Governor Fubara has not issued an official response to the allegations. However, political analysts believe his administration will strongly contest the claims, as the crisis appears to be deeply rooted in political power struggles within the state.
2. Rising Political Tensions
This impeachment notice is the latest in a series of political crises that have plagued Rivers State in recent months. Analysts speculate that this could be linked to internal divisions within the ruling political structure of the state, particularly between factions loyal to different political heavyweights.
3. Potential Legal Battle
The governor and his deputy may seek legal redress to challenge the impeachment process. If this happens, the case could drag into the courts, further deepening the crisis.
EFCC Investigation into Rivers State SSG
Adding to the political turmoil, the Rivers State Assembly has also invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, over alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure. This move suggests that the lawmakers are expanding their scrutiny beyond the governor and deputy governor to other top government officials.
What Happens Next?
According to the Nigerian Constitution, here’s what could follow:
- Governor Fubara and Deputy Odu have 14 days to respond to the allegations.
- After the response period, the Assembly will vote on whether to investigate the allegations further.
- If two-thirds of the House votes in favor of impeachment, a panel of inquiry will be set up to probe the allegations.
- If found guilty, the governor and his deputy could be removed from office.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FUBARA, DEP. GOV
What you should know
The unfolding political crisis in Rivers State has drawn national attention, as the outcome could have major implications for governance, political alignments, and stability in the oil-rich region. Whether Governor Fubara and his deputy will successfully defend themselves or face removal remains to be seen. As events unfold, all eyes will be on the next steps taken by both the lawmakers and the executive arm of the state government.
The coming weeks will determine the fate of Rivers State’s leadership and the future of democracy in the region.
