On Friday, the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened and instructed the Chief Judge of the state to form a seven-member committee tasked with initiating the process for the removal of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, along with his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The House resumed its session after an unsuccessful seven-day waiting period, which concluded on Thursday, for the governor and his deputy to address the allegations of misconduct brought against them.
During the plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule referenced pertinent sections of the constitution, stating that the process of removing the governor and his deputy would proceed irrespective of their responses.
He said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me read what is provided in the constitution. It states within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any delay, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.
“Pursuant to this section of the Constitution, I secretly and repeatedly atedly put this to vote on that note. Members who support that the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency Fubara, to be investigated, indicate by raising their hands.”
“Distinguished colleagues by this voting, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved that the investigations against allegations of gross misconduct leveled against His Excellency the governor of Rivers State shall proceed. By virtue of Section 188 subsection 5, I will ensure that the resolution of this House is immediately communicated to the Chief Judge.”