The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, of undermining democratic governance in the state.
Amaewhule spoke on Wednesday shortly after the assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
He alleged that the governor had deliberately failed to present the state budget to the legislature, insisting that nothing legally prevented the executive from laying the appropriation bill before lawmakers.
The speaker further accused Fubara of disregarding the authority of the House, claiming that the governor openly boasted about seeking presidential intervention and allegedly referred to the 10th Assembly as powerless to enforce the constitution.
Amaewhule also alleged that the executive arm had continued to travel and expend public funds without legislative approval, describing such actions as a violation of due process and constitutional provisions.
He said previous efforts to resolve the crisis, including meetings convened by President Bola Tinubu and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, failed because the governor allegedly refused to comply with constitutional requirements.
The speaker described the situation as unprecedented in the state’s history, faulting the continued operation of government without a valid appropriation law and warning that the alleged conduct posed a serious threat to democracy in Rivers State.