Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu has bee accused of gross misconduct by the State House of Assembly. 

In a letter addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, 26 members of the Assembly detailed their accusations, marking a new chapter in the political tensions within the state.

The lawmakers have accused Governor Fubara of financial mismanagement, obstruction of legislative processes, and making key government appointments without following due process, including the required screening and confirmation by the Assembly.

A notice obtained by Channels Television indicates that the lawmakers justified their actions as being in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice read.

Upon receipt of the notice, Amaewhule forwarded the same to Governor Fubara and said the allegation was raised by 26 lawmakers “which is not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.

Speaker Amaewhule asked Fubara to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct accordingly”.

He said, “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.’

“Please be guided accordingly and do accept my esteemed regards.”