BY OGORAMAKA AMOS /PORT HARCOURT
TENSIONS appeared to be rising in Rivers State as the House of Assembly has served a notice of alleged gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, setting the stage for a potential political showdown.
The notice, dated March 14 and stamped by the Office of the Speaker, was signed by members of the Assembly. Lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of “reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds”, a charge that could escalate into a heated battle for his political survival.
In a similar move, the Assembly has also alleged gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu in the discharge of her official duties. The notice was forwarded to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who confirmed that the allegations were raised by 26 lawmakers—exceeding the one-third threshold required by the Nigerian Constitution for such proceedings.
The Speaker, Amaewhule, in his correspondence to Governor Fubara, cited Section 188(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates the Assembly to decide—through a motion—within 14 days whether the allegations should be investigated further.
With Governor Fubara now required to respond, the political atmosphere in Rivers State remains tense. Observers anticipate intense maneuvering in the coming days as both sides brace for the next phase of this unfolding drama.
