March 30, 2024 – The Rivers State House of Assembly on Saturday threatened to resume impeachment process against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara if he continues to breach the constitution.
Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the House, made the threat at a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
The Speaker, who was accompanied by 26 members of the Assembly, accused the governor of refusing to abide by the Presidential Peace Accord.
He said the House withdrew the impeachment notice against Governor Fubara out of respect for President Tinubu and with the optimism that the governor would have a change of heart.
Amaewhule said the House would resume the impeachment proceedings should Fubara continued with constant constitutional breaches.
“It is worthy of note that the notice of impeachment of the Governor was quickly withdrawn by members of the House in fulfilment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a u-turn in terms of unlawful actions of the Governor.
“The reverse is now the case as we see from day to day the activities of the State Governor been conducted outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution.
“To this day, Rivers State remains the only State without an Appropriation Law and the Governor recklessly abandons laws of the State.
“These new hawks in the scene and all those who are quick to refer to the Governor as “Mr. innocent” will not go and advise him.
“They prefer to hold talk shows, organize rallies, hold press conferences, and announce that the House commenced impeachment proceedings against the Governor for no just cause, but fail to ask the Governor if he has not been informed of the particulars of gross misconduct levelled against him or at least read them when they were filed in Court in response to his petition.
“They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort.
So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.
“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our father land and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our Constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.
“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions.
“To this end, the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly will leave no stone unturned in our resolve to make a positive difference in legislation, oversight functions and effective representation,” the Speaker said. (GBN)
