The political tension in Rivers State has escalated as the Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof.

The lawmakers on Monday issued a formal notice citing multiple allegations of misconduct, thereby kick-starting the legal process to remove them from office. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the allegations leveled against the Governor:

Key Allegations Against Governor Siminalayi Fubara

1. Failure to Present the 2024 Budget – The Governor allegedly refused to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024, to the Assembly, in direct violation of Section 121(1)(2) of the Constitution and a Federal High Court order, rendering the existing budget null and void.
2. Unauthorized Withdrawals from State Funds – Fubara is accused of approving withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State without an approved appropriation law, violating Section 120 of the Constitution.
3. Illegal Expenditures – The Governor allegedly continued spending state funds despite the Assembly’s resolution to halt government expenditures, breaching Section 122 of the Constitution.
4. Supreme Court Order Violation – On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that Rivers State lacked an approved budget for 2024 and 2025, ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General to stop releasing funds to the state government.
5. Obstruction of Legislative Duties – The Governor allegedly hindered the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.
6. Demolition of the Assembly Complex – Fubara allegedly ordered and supervised the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex on December 13, 2023, defying a Federal High Court injunction.
7. Judicial Condemnation of the Demolition – A Federal High Court judgment on January 22, 2024, condemned the destruction of the Assembly complex as an attempt to prevent legislators from carrying out their duties.
8. Supreme Court Condemnation – The Supreme Court criticized the Governor’s actions in demolishing the Assembly complex and holding an illegitimate legislative session outside the official premises.
9. Illegal Appointments – Fubara allegedly appointed government officials without screening and confirmation by the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
10. Contempt of Court Orders – The Governor is accused of making appointments contrary to a Federal High Court judgment, which mandated that he only engage with the Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.
11. Failure to Appoint an Attorney-General – The Governor allegedly failed to submit a nominee for the position of Attorney-General, instead unilaterally appointing Mr. Dagogo Iboroma, violating Sections 192(2) & (6) and 195(1) of the Constitution.
12. Unapproved Swearing-in of Commissioners – A total of 19 commissioners were allegedly sworn in without legislative screening between May 21, 2024, and October 7, 2024.
13. Unauthorized Appointment of Procurement Officials – The Governor is accused of illegally swearing in officials to the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement without Assembly confirmation, violating the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008.
14. Unauthorized Appointments in the Local Government Service Commission – Fubara allegedly appointed members to the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission without Assembly approval, in breach of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
15. Defiance of Legislative Resolutions – Despite multiple warnings, Fubara allegedly refused to rescind his illegal appointments.
16. Withholding of Legislators’ Salaries – The Governor allegedly stopped paying salaries of certain lawmakers from April 2024 to suppress opposition.
17. Blocking Assembly Funds – Fubara is accused of seizing legislative funds since April 2024 to cripple the House’s activities, despite a court ruling that mandated the release of such funds.
18. Non-Payment of the Clerk’s Salary – The Governor allegedly withheld the salary of the Clerk of the Assembly, despite a Federal High Court order prohibiting such actions.

Final Verdict from the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024, condemned Fubara’s actions, stating: “The Governor’s fear of impeachment does not justify his attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, or the rule of law. Political disagreements cannot justify these unconstitutional actions.”

With these grave allegations, the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara are set to be one of the most intense political battles in Rivers State history. Stay tuned for more updates as the process unfolds.