Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have provided fresh insight into the motivations behind the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, citing what they termed deliberate interference in legislative affairs.
Hon. Looloo Opuende, representing Akuku Toru Constituency 11, stated that while efforts were being made by some stakeholders and lawmakers to resolve the political impasse amicably, the governor was allegedly working behind the scenes to undermine them by inducing their constituents to initiate recall processes.
Addressing journalists on Friday at the Assembly’s temporary complex along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Opuende maintained that the governor should have engaged the Assembly leadership directly rather than resorting to what he described as covert tactics. He insisted that impeachment remains a constitutional process and backed the Speaker’s decision to move forward with proceedings.
He also called on critics to look beyond the surface and examine the underlying factors fueling the rift between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, Dr. Darlington Oji, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, said he was not aware of the claims. However, he had previously accused lawmakers of receiving N350 million each for constituency projects, while questioning their rejection of a N100,000 Christmas welfare package.
Meanwhile, four lawmakers who earlier advocated a political resolution have reversed their stance. Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency 11 accused the governor and his deputy of persistent disregard for legal and constitutional provisions, describing their conduct as disrespectful to the Supreme Court.
Similarly, Hon. Barile Nwakoh of Khana Constituency 1 alleged that the executive arm was attempting to intimidate the Assembly into abandoning the impeachment process while continuing actions deemed unconstitutional.
The impeachment notice, served on January 8, accuses Governor Fubara of gross misconduct, including authorizing extra-budgetary expenditures exceeding ₦800 billion without legislative approval, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, demolishing the Assembly complex, and allegedly flouting Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
At Friday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, 25 lawmakers voted unanimously to proceed with an investigation into the allegations against the governor and his deputy.
