The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) members had on Monday tabled an impeachment notice to the embattled governor and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu.
The letter, dated March 14, 2024, was tabled to Martin Amaewhule, the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The letter signed by the lawmakers entitled, ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct Brought Pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999,’ accused the governor of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor.
A separate letter was tabled for the deputy governor
The legislators accused the governor of spending public funds contrary to sections 120, 121 and 122 of the constitution.
The legislators accused the governor of spending public funds contrary to sections 120, 121 and 122 of the constitution.
The Amaewhule-led House of Assembly also accused the governor of hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is another arm of government protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) from performing her constitutional duties.
The Rivers State House of Assembly members further accused the governor of appointing “persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), other extant laws but making the request for screening to persons other than the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.”
They also accused Fubara of failing to forward the name of a nominee for appointment as attorney-general and commissioner for justice “in line with Section 192(2) & (6) as well as Section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly as declared by the Judgement of the Federal High Court in FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 but chose to announce one Mr. Dagogo Iboroma to assume the said position.”
They alleged that Governor Fubara illegally swore in “several other persons who were purportedly confirmed by certain individuals for appointment into the Rivers State Executive Council on Tuesday 21st May, 2024 namely- Prince Charles O. Beke; Collins Onunwo; Solomon Eke; Peter Medee; Elloka Tasie-Amadi; Basoene Joshua Benibo; Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly in full compliance with Section 192(2) & (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
The notices are to be served to the governor after the House debate and adoption.
It is not clear if the notice would be served successfully on the governor because of the break in communication between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
The date of the letters indicates that the decision had since been taken before now.
Daily Trust reports that this is the second impeachment attempt against the governor. The first attempt to impeach Governor Fubara occurred on October 30, 2023. During this period, 24 members of the assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor, leading to significant unrest, including the burning of sections of the assembly complex and the eventual demolition of the complex. Governor Fubara claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt involving police gunfire during these events.
Should the governor and his deputy be successfully impeached, Amaewhule, the speaker, would by law be sworn in as next governor. That would complete the routing of the governor and return of power and structure to Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, who has since vowed to uproot Fubara
The situation is currently heating up the oil-rich state, with many residents fearing that a crisis could erupt at any time.
Matthew Ahanna, a Port Harcourt resident, said: “We are being cautious and careful to avoid being victims. Parents are glued to their radios as well.”
Oil company workers and civil servants are also jittery and keeping an eye on the crisis.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the assembly has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, over allegations of extra-budgetary spending. The lawmakers also called on the EFCC to probe financial misconduct allegedly linked to Danagogo.
Their move follows allegations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who accused the SSG of engineering the state’s political turmoil, including securing a court order barring Fubara from recognising the 27 lawmakers.
The development has escalated the political tension in the state, as some Ijaw groups had threatened a crisis in the region if Fubara is impeached.
Recently, the Ijaw National Congress, the Ijaw Youth Council and other groups expressed strong opposition to the potential impeachment of Fubara, who is of Ijaw descent.
They warned that such actions could lead to unrest, emphasising their commitment to defending the governor’s mandate and cautioning that his removal might destabilise the region and affect oil production.
Sensing the potential danger, President Bola Tinubu, last week, invited leaders of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, led by its Board of Trustees co-chairmen, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah and the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Also in the delegation was the National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali.
Addressing the delegation, Tinubu said, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.
“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”
He asked the PANDEF leaders to intervene and counsel Fubara to pursue the path of peace and stability.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court.
“Help – privately and openly- intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” the President said.
Following the meeting, the PANDEF leaders and reconciliation committee met with Fubara but efforts to meet with Wike failed.
Efforts by Fubara to present the budget last week, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment that gave legitimacy to the Amaewhule Assembly, were rebuffed by the lawmakers.
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