The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, following the presentation of a notice of alleged gross misconduct during plenary on the floor of the House.
The notice was presented by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers a state legislature to commence impeachment proceedings against a sitting governor over allegations of gross misconduct.
According to the notice, the lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of several constitutional and administrative infractions, including the alleged destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, an act the legislators said undermined the independence and effective functioning of the legislative arm of government.
The governor was also accused of engaging in unauthorized expenditure of public funds without legislative approval, contrary to established budgetary and appropriation processes. In addition, the notice alleged that the governor deliberately withheld funds statutorily allocated to the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, thereby hampering the operations of the commission and the legislature.
Another major allegation contained in the notice was the governor’s alleged failure to comply with a ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria granting financial autonomy to state legislatures. The lawmakers described the alleged non-compliance as a violation of the rule of law and a threat to constitutional democracy.
During deliberations, members of the House argued that the allegations, if established, constitute gross misconduct as defined under Section 188 of the Constitution, and therefore warrant further legislative action.
Consequently, the House resolved to proceed with the impeachment process in line with constitutional provisions, including the service of the notice on the governor to enable him respond to the allegations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government had not issued an official response to the impeachment notice. Observers say the development has further escalated tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state, raising concerns about governance and political stability.
The House is expected to announce the next steps in the impeachment process in the coming days.
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