Rivers Speaker: Fubara is a threat to democracy

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of undermining democratic governance in the state.

Amaewhule made the allegation on Thursday shortly after the Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odun, over alleged gross misconduct.

According to the speaker, the executive arm of government has repeatedly failed to comply with constitutional provisions, particularly in relation to budget presentation and expenditure approvals.

“Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he deliberately chose not to,” Amaewhule said.

“The governor has been telling his followers that this Assembly is nothing but a toothless bulldog, that the 10th House of Assembly cannot do anything and cannot enforce the constitution,” he said.

Amaewhule described the situation as dangerous for democratic governance in Rivers State.

“This is a sad commentary for our democracy. Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu are a threat to our democracy. If they are allowed to continue this way, I fear for what will become of democratic governance in Rivers State,” he said.

The speaker further alleged that the governor and his deputy had been spending public funds without legislative authorisation.

“They are moving from place to place, spending taxpayers’ money without the approval of the House,” Amaewhule said.

He noted that the refusal to present budgets formed part of the reasons behind both the previous and the current impeachment efforts.

Amaewhule also said efforts by President Bola Tinubu and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to resolve the crisis had not yielded results.

“Mr President has called several meetings, and our leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, has also intervened on several occasions,” he said.

“But the governor maintained that he would not present the budget and that nothing would happen if he refused to do so.”

The speaker further alleged that the governor abandoned the 2023 Appropriation Law and continued awarding contracts without legislative backing.

Amaewhule insisted that there was no constitutional barrier preventing the governor from presenting the budget to the Assembly.

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