The Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of violating provisions of the amended 1999 Constitution. In a letter dated July 8, 2024, and signed by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Assembly detailed several constitutional breaches by the governor, as reported by PUNCH.
The letter highlighted that Governor Fubara had not presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the properly constituted House of Assembly under Amaewhule’s speakership, as required by Section 121 of the Constitution. The letter noted, “You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024, in line with Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution as altered and in compliance with the judgment delivered on January 22, 2024, by Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
The Assembly warned that the Rivers State Government, under Fubara’s leadership, was barred from spending funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state. The House demanded that the governor present the Appropriation Bill within seven days of the resolution’s date.
“The Rivers State Government under your watch is now barred from spending funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state. The House hereby gives you the opportunity to present same within seven days from the date of this resolution,” the house stated.
Additionally, the Rivers Assembly accused the governor of breaching Section 192(2) of the Constitution by inaugurating purported members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners without proper procedure. The lawmakers also claimed that Fubara violated Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2023 by swearing in unelected individuals to manage the state’s 23 local government areas, despite a court judgment from Justice Omotosho prohibiting such actions.
The letter further accused Fubara of disobeying a court order by continuing to engage with three suspended Assembly members, despite being restrained by the judgment. The Amaewhule-led Assembly urged the governor to stop all impostors from parading in their purported positions, stressing that these actions constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office.
“These infractions by you on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, other extant laws, and judicial pronouncements constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office on your part,” the House stated.
The Assembly called on Governor Fubara to act lawfully and comply with constitutional and judicial requirements without further delay, expressing their high regards despite the ongoing issues…..Seë_Morë