The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Thursday as the State House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The decision was announced during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule.
At the sitting, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against the governor, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as the legal basis for the action.
According to Jack, Governor Fubara is facing seven counts of gross misconduct, including the alleged demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending without legislative approval, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the legislature.
The notice was signed by 26 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional requirement to initiate impeachment proceedings. Speaker Amaewhule thereafter directed that the notice be served on the governor within seven days.
Shortly after, the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
The allegations against her include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House from performing its constitutional duties, and connivance in allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy government offices without legislative screening.
She was also accused of seeking budgetary approval from a body other than the recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as involvement in the alleged seizure of salaries and allowances meant for lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
With the commencement of the process, both the governor and his deputy are expected to be formally served with the notices and given the opportunity to respond, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The development marks a new phase in the escalating tension between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.