As predicted by many observers, the political crisis rocking Rivers State seems to have taken the shape designed by the Sponsor on Monday as lawmakers in the oil-rich state have finally written Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu accusing them of gross misconduct.
In the endorsed by Twenty-six members of the Rivers Assembly which for sure is a prelude to their impeachment the Legislators raised the allegations in the letters sent to the speaker Martin Amaewhule who is said to have thereafter transmitted them to Fubara and his deputy.
According to the Lawmakers, their action was “in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws” which mandates that such allegations be signed by at least one-third of the House members and specify the particulars of the misconduct.
The letters, signed by the 26 lawmakers, were presented during Monday’s plenary session in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), 1999. The Speaker is required to ensure that the notices are served on the office holders and all members of the House within seven days of receipt.
As found in the letters, the allegations, the House accused Fubara among other things of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly which is another arm of the government, and the appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation.
Others allegations are: the seizure of salaries, allowances, and funds standing to the credit of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly and the seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly Emeka Amadi.
They also accused the Deputy Governor of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation”.
The Speaker, Amaewhule who announced that he has officially transmitted the notices to Governor Fubara and his deputy, said the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
The Governor and his Deputy were asked 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.
Though it is still hazy regarding how the Governor Fubara and his deputy will respond to these allegations or navigate the mounting pressure from the legislative arm of the state government, there are indications that the next few days may witness unpredictable moves by both parties in dealing with the ugly and tensed situation.
Meanwhile, the combat ready Assembly has also passed a resolution inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo over allegations of financial recklessness during his tenure.
