Rivers State lawmakers have explained why they moved forward with the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, saying the governor allegedly attempted to undermine political reconciliation efforts in the state.
Speaking during a press conference at the temporary Assembly complex on Aba Road, Port Harcourt on Friday, Hon. Looloo Opuende, who represents Akuku Toru Constituency II, said stakeholders were trying to find a political solution to the ongoing rift, while Governor Fubara was allegedly making attempts to influence residents of their constituencies to withdraw them from office.
According to him, “while the impeachment process was going on, the governor was busy paying our constituents to withdraw us from the Assembly. Is that the right thing to do? If you wanted peace, you should have called the leadership of the Assembly and discuss the right way to go. Impeachment is a constitutional matter.”
He urged the Speaker of the House to reconstitute the Assembly to continue the impeachment procedure, adding that critics of the process should try to understand the root of the conflict between the executive and the legislature.
When contacted to confirm the allegation that some individuals had been paid to recall the lawmakers, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Dr. Darlington Oji, said he was not aware of such actions.
N350 Million Constituency Project Claim
Oji had earlier stated that members of the Assembly received ₦350 million each for constituency projects, despite complaints from some lawmakers that payments made to them were not properly appropriated. He also recalled that last December, they were offered ₦100,000 Christmas welfare but some lawmakers rejected it.
“They rejected it that it was not appropriated. You cannot build something on nothing. Now you rejected it because ₦100,000 was not appropriated. Can you ask them, the ₦350 million that was given to each of them for their constituency project, where did it come from? Why did they not reject it since it was not appropriated?” Oji asked.
Four lawmakers who previously supported political settlement have now withdrawn their position.
Legislators Say Impeachment Must Continue
Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, told reporters on Friday that lawmakers had earlier opted for dialogue but could not continue after observing that the governor and his deputy were unwilling to back down.
“We had earlier opted for a political solution to the problem but the governor and the deputy governor are adamant. There are strong indications that they still want to continue with illegal actions in the state. We consider this a slap to the Supreme Court and we must defend the institution of the legislature,” she said.
Also speaking, Hon. Barile Nwakoh of Khana Constituency I alleged that the governor’s strategy was aimed at intimidating lawmakers into dropping the impeachment move while continuing actions that, according to him, violate the nation’s constitution.
“This is very bad for our democracy. On this note, we must proceed with the process,” he declared.
Grounds For Impeachment
On Thursday, January 8, the Assembly served the governor and his deputy impeachment notices over allegations of extra-budgetary spending exceeding ₦800 billion without legislative approval, withholding statutory funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and alleged refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
During plenary on Friday, the House, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, voted on whether the governor and his deputy should be investigated. Twenty-five lawmakers voted in support with none opposing.