Amaewhule links Tinubu to impeachment move against Fubara

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has justified the decision to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara by citing what he described as the governor’s refusal to heed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

Amaewhule made the claim on Thursday during plenary, as the Assembly formally issued a notice of impeachment to the governor. He said lawmakers had exhausted all options, including presidential mediation, before resorting to the constitutional process of impeachment.

According to the speaker, the National Assembly had no choice but to act after Fubara allegedly ignored appeals to reverse actions deemed unconstitutional.

“We will pursue this impeachment process to its logical conclusion because the Supreme Court has already affirmed that the governor committed offences against the Constitution. The law must be allowed to take its course,” Amaewhule stated.

He further alleged that President Tinubu personally urged the governor to correct his conduct but was rebuffed. “Mr. President intervened and spoke directly to the governor. In my presence, he told him, ‘I am giving you a second chance,’ yet the governor refused. How many times should the President intervene?” Amaewhule asked.

After deliberations, the speaker subjected the motion to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved by members present, clearing the way for the impeachment process to begin.

The Assembly subsequently announced the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, accusing them of eight acts of gross misconduct.

The allegations include failure to present the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, non-compliance with the Federal Government’s policy on local government autonomy, and the alleged withholding of lawmakers’ salaries.

The House adjourned plenary until January 15, as political tensions continue to escalate in Rivers State.