The political temperature in Rivers State has soared dramatically as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, launched a scathing attack on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, labelling him and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, as a direct threat to democratic governance in the oil-rich state.
Impeachment Proceedings Initiated Over Gross Misconduct
The verbal assault came on Thursday, immediately following the Assembly's decisive move to commence impeachment proceedings against both the governor and his deputy. The lawmakers are acting on allegations of gross misconduct, which they argue has become a pattern under the Fubara administration.
Amaewhule, addressing his colleagues, painted a picture of an executive arm of government that has persistently and deliberately flouted constitutional provisions. He pinpointed the governor's refusal to present the state's budget to the legislature as a central and egregious violation.
"Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he deliberately chose not to," the Speaker stated emphatically. He further alleged that Governor Fubara has publicly disparaged the legislative arm, telling his supporters that the current Assembly is "nothing but a toothless bulldog" incapable of enforcing the constitution.
Allegations of Unauthorized Spending and Constitutional Breach
Beyond the budget impasse, the Speaker levelled serious accusations of financial impropriety. He claimed the executive has been freely spending public funds without the legally required approval from the House of Assembly.
"They are moving from place to place, spending taxpayers’ money without the approval of the House," Amaewhule alleged. He insisted that this pattern of unauthorized expenditure, coupled with the abandonment of the 2023 Appropriation Law and the continued awarding of contracts without legislative backing, formed the core of the impeachment charges.
Amaewhule was adamant that there exists no legal or constitutional barrier preventing Governor Fubara from fulfilling his duty to present the budget. He framed the Assembly's actions as a necessary step to safeguard democratic principles and check executive overreach.
A "Dangerous Precedent" for Rivers Democracy
The Speaker framed the crisis in grave terms, warning that the governor's alleged conduct sets a dangerous precedent for the future of democracy in Rivers State. He expressed deep concern over the potential consequences if the executive's actions are allowed to continue unchecked.
"This is a sad commentary for our democracy. Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu are a threat to our democracy," Amaewhule declared. "If they are allowed to continue this way, I fear for what will become of democratic governance in Rivers state."
He also revealed that high-level interventions aimed at resolving the political standoff have thus far failed. According to the Speaker, even meetings called by President Bola Tinubu and interventions by the Federal Capital Territory Minister and political leader in the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, did not yield a resolution.
"The governor maintained that he would not present the budget and that nothing would happen if he refused to do so," Amaewhule concluded, underscoring the governor's reported defiance. The stage is now set for a major constitutional and political showdown in one of Nigeria's most strategic states.
