Speaker Amaewhule transmits notice accusing Gov Fubara and Deputy Odu of gross misconduct; Assembly calls for an EFCC probe into SSG Danagogo’s spending.
PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State — In a dramatic escalation in Rivers State’s political turmoil, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, confirmed receipt of a Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Delivered during the House’s 137th Legislative Sitting on Monday, this explosive development has intensified the long-standing confrontation between the legislative and executive arms of government.
According to the notice—signed by 26 Assembly members, which accounts for over one-third of the legislature—the accusations against Governor Fubara include five distinct grounds of gross misconduct, while the deputy faces three allegations.
In strict compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Speaker Amaewhule has not only distributed the notice among members but has also duly forwarded it to the officeholders.
The Speaker emphasised that, in order to ensure that the Governor and his deputy cannot claim ignorance of the allegations, the House has resolved by motion to publish the notice in at least three national dailies should the documents fail to reach their intended recipients.
The allegations centre on a series of actions that have undermined constitutional governance in Rivers State.
Insiders suggest that the notice is a direct response to the Governor’s repeated refusal to present the appropriation bill as mandated by the recent Supreme Court judgement.
This failure to comply with constitutional directives has, in the eyes of the legislature, severely hampered the state’s financial management, obstructing the release of funds by the Federal Government and compounding the state’s governance crisis.
Adding further fuel to the controversy, the Assembly has moved a motion spearheaded by Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
The investigation is sought on grounds of spending exorbitant sums of money without the requisite backing of an Appropriation Law.
Speaker Amaewhule noted that this move is crucial, particularly after the Governor barred heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies from engaging with the House—an action widely viewed as an attempt to suppress the legislature’s oversight role.
“The House remains resolute in our constitutional duties, and we will not be deterred by executive intimidation,” stated Speaker Amaewhule.
His declaration underscores the Assembly’s commitment to holding the executive accountable and restoring the balance of power as enshrined in the Constitution.
The Speaker’s message carries a stern reminder that no government can legitimately function without adherence to the rule of law and respect for the separation of powers.
In a further bid to ensure that the Assembly is not rendered impotent by the Governor’s heavy-handed tactics, the House has amended its Standing Orders.
The new provisions allow for an emergency sitting at any time during the week, provided that the House is properly convened by the Speaker.
This strategic move is designed to enable swift legislative action in times of crisis, ensuring that the voice of the people is not silenced by executive interference.
This latest round of events adds another explosive chapter to the saga of Rivers State’s governance woes.
With the Assembly taking bold steps to confront the executive’s alleged misconduct, many political analysts are predicting that the coming weeks could witness an intensified showdown between the branches of government.
As the EFCC’s involvement is now being sought, the political fate of Governor Fubara and his deputy hangs in the balance.
For Atlantic Post, this development is yet another reminder that accountability and transparency remain the bedrock of democratic governance—a principle that the Rivers State House of Assembly is determined to uphold.
