The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of violating provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In a letter dated July 8, 2024, signed by the factional Speaker Martins Amaewhule and sent to Governor Fubara on Monday, the Assembly pointed out several actions by the governor that allegedly contravened the Constitution.
The letter highlighted Governor Fubara’s delay in presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the duly constituted House of Assembly, presided over by Amaewhule, in accordance with Section 121 of the Constitution.
“You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 in line with Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution as altered and in compliance with the judgment delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024 by Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria,” the letter stated.
The Assembly informed the governor that, as a consequence, his administration is prohibited from accessing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund until the bill is presented. They gave him a seven-day ultimatum to comply.
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Additionally, the Assembly accused Governor Fubara of violating Section 192(2) of the Constitution by appointing purported members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners.
They also criticized him for disregarding Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2023 by swearing in unelected individuals to oversee the state’s 23 local government areas, contrary to a court order issued by Justice Omotosho.
“The learned judge restrained you from dealing with the three suspended persons who, with your connivance, are parading themselves as Rivers House of Assembly in total disobedience to the order of the learned Judge,” the Assembly’s letter to the governor emphasized.
The lawmakers further accused Governor Fubara of continuing to engage with the suspended members of the Assembly despite court orders prohibiting such actions, which they deemed as contemptuous.
The Amaewhule-led assembly criticized the governor for failing to instruct impostors in his administration to cease their activities.
“In light of these violations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, other laws, and judicial pronouncements, we consider this to be gross misconduct and an abuse of your office,” the Assembly concluded.
They called on Governor Fubara to rectify these issues promptly and to govern lawfully, ending the letter with assurances of their highest regards.
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