The political crisis in Rivers State escalated as lawmakers in the oil-rich state accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of gross misconduct.
A group of 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly made these allegations in a notice addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
According to the lawmakers, their actions align with Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended) and other relevant laws.
Read Also: Rivers Assembly Serves Gross Misconduct Allegation Notice On Fubara, Deputy Governor
The accusations against Governor Fubara include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the operations of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and appointing individuals to government positions without the required legislative screening and confirmation.
Additionally, the lawmakers accused him of withholding salaries, allowances, and funds meant for the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as seizing the salary of the Assembly Clerk, Emeka Amadi.
Deputy Governor Odu was also accused of conspiring in the alleged illegal appointments by supporting the bypassing of the legislative screening and confirmation process.
Upon receiving the notice, Speaker Amaewhule forwarded it to Governor Fubara, emphasizing that the allegations were backed by at least one-third of the Assembly members.
Speaker Amaewhule asked Fubara to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’ accordingly”.
“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’,” the speaker said in a letter sent to Fubara.
“Please be guided accordingly and do accept my esteemed regards.”
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