The Rivers State government has dismissed the impeachment attempt against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, asserting that there has been no formal communication from the state House of Assembly concerning the allegations of gross misconduct.
The assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and comprising 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, issued a notice on 14 March detailing accusations against Fubara and Odu. The letter, signed by 26 legislators, alleges that the governor engaged in reckless spending, obstructed the assembly, and made appointments without legislative approval, among other claims.
On Monday, Speaker Amaewhule announced the formal delivery of the notice to the governor and his deputy, referencing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires impeachment allegations to be signed by at least one-third of house members. He also instructed Fubara and Odu to respond to the allegations within the designated 14-day period.
However, Barrister Joseph Johnson, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the notice, stating it was not directed to the governor.
During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, he criticised the assembly for hindering Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the state’s ongoing political crisis.
Johnson further argued that the assembly’s actions exacerbated the hardship faced by civil servants and pensioners due to withheld state allocations.
He pointed out that Fubara has shown his commitment to complying with the court’s decision by instructing local government chairmen to hand over to their administrative heads. In line with the ruling, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has also scheduled fresh elections for 9 August 2025.
This marks the second attempt to impeach the governor. The first attempt occurred on 30 October 2023, when 24 assembly members initiated impeachment proceedings, resulting in significant unrest, including the burning of parts of the assembly complex and its eventual demolition. Governor Fubara claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt amid police gunfire during these events.
Senior Advocates Warn of Potential Constitutional Crisis
In response to the impeachment move, Abeni Mohammed (SAN) remarked that removing a governor and deputy is a constitutional process that must be meticulously followed.
“They must go through the state’s Chief Judge, who will establish a panel to assess whether the allegations amount to impeachable offences. The findings will be submitted to the Assembly before any proceedings can occur,” he explained.
Mohammed noted that it is unlikely Governor Fubara will remain passive, especially since the lawmakers have breached the constitution by refusing to convene and adjourning indefinitely.
“The governor can challenge their actions in court to prevent any impeachment proceedings. Impeachment is a legal matter, and lawmakers must ensure they themselves have not violated the constitution. Let them serve the notice, and I trust the governor’s legal team knows how to respond,” he stated.
He also took issue with the Supreme Court for intervening in a matter pending before the High Court, particularly concerning the status of the 27 defected lawmakers.
“The apex court should not have made decisions about whether the lawmakers vacated their seats, as that issue was not before them. Their ruling emboldened the lawmakers, who have violated the constitution by defecting. When and where did they convene to issue directives after indefinitely adjourning? They are engaging in politics at the expense of the people of Rivers,” he said.
Similarly, Taiye Oniyide (SAN) called for moderation, stressing that both sides need to prioritise the state’s interests over personal disputes.
“This crisis has become unnecessarily personal. The power to impeach lies with the house, but this conflict did not arise today. The entire nation is observing, and reasonable voices are urging for caution,” he remarked.
Oniyide further alleged that former Governor Nyesom Wike had implicitly endorsed the impeachment attempt through recent comments.
“This is a clear case of political vendetta. Sadly, it is the people of Rivers who suffer the consequences, as essential development stalls. Governance should not be driven by animosity,” he concluded.
[Daily Trust]
