The Rivers House of Assembly has begun moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu by issuing a notice of alleged gross misconduct against them.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we, the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of his office,” the document said.

The document also cited “reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds contrary to Sections 120, 121 (1), (2) and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)” as a reason for the impeachment notice.

Ms Odu was accused of a similar offence.

The Rivers parliament led by Martin Amaewhule, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, transmitted the notice after passing a resolution raising the impeachment allegations.

The lawmakers also directed the assembly clerk to publish the letter of allegations of gross misconduct against Mr Fubara and Ms Odu in at least three national newspapers, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). 

The impeachment notice is the latest impasse between Mr Fubara and the pro-Wike lawmakers, coming days after Mr Fubara sent another letter to the lawmakers, indicating his readiness to present a fresh 2025 Appropriation Bill.

During his first attempt on Wednesday to present the budget, Mr Fubara and his entourage, including some of his commissioners, were allegedly locked out of the assembly quarters in Port Harcourt.

However, the lawmakers claimed they only received the letter after Wednesday’s plenary, adding that the March 11 date on the letter gave them inadequate time to acknowledge it before inviting him to appear for the presentation.