Legal expert Ezugwu Anene has offered his perspective on the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, raising concerns about procedural lapses in the handling of the 2025 budget presentation. In an interview on TVC News, he questioned whether both Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly followed the correct administrative processes, emphasizing that proper protocol should have been observed to avoid unnecessary conflict.
One of Anene’s key points was the uncertainty surrounding the governor’s letter to the Assembly. He noted that there was no concrete evidence that the letter requesting a budget presentation date was officially received and acknowledged. Even if it had been acknowledged, he stressed that the House of Assembly was obligated to respond formally, either approving the request or suggesting an alternative date. The absence of such a response, he argued, indicated a deviation from standard administrative procedures.
Beyond the procedural dispute, Anene dismissed the notion that the core issue was whether the governor had complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Instead, he highlighted the constitutional authority granted to the House of Assembly, particularly under Section 188, Subsection 11. This provision allows lawmakers to determine what constitutes impeachment and gross misconduct, giving them considerable discretion in interpreting actions taken by the governor.
According to Anene, one of the grievances raised by the lawmakers was the alleged withholding of their salaries, which they considered a valid ground for impeachment. He suggested that the Assembly had the legal authority to classify such actions as misconduct if they deemed it necessary.
“If, in their opinion, withholding the salaries of House of Assembly members are grounds for impeachment, so be it,” he revealed.