Rivers Assembly Slaps Fubara with Gross Misconduct Allegation; issues notice

The political crisis roiling Rivers State took a new turn for the worse, Monday, as the State House of Assembly issued a notice slapping allegation of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Twenty-six members of the assembly made the allegation against Fubara via a notice sent to the Speaker, Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

The lawmakers, all loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said they premised their action on “Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other existing laws.”

Among others, the pro-Wike Assembly accused Fubara of several offences including: reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the Assembly’s activities, and appointing individuals to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.

Other allegations slapped against Fubara are: withholding salaries, allowances and funds meant for the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as seizing the salary of the Clerk, Emeka Amadi.

The lawmakers also accused Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.”

Amaewhule wasted no time in forwarding the notice to Governor Fubara, stating that the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

The Speaker asked the governor to respond to the allegations, referring to Section 188(3) of the Constitution, which states, “Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by the 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.”

Amaewhule also advised the governor to act accordingly and extended his “esteemed regards.”