The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed its members in the state House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The APC’s impeachment call comes just 24 hours after Governor Fubara claimed the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, is not recognised by law.
Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, said in a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the impeachment process was necessary because the governor “has insulted the sensibility” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who waded in to resolve the lingering crisis in the state.
Fubara, and the State House of Assembly have been at each other’s throat over the passage of the Amended State’s Procurement Bill.
The Assembly, at its 173th Legislative Sitting, overrode the assent of Governor Siminialayi Fubara, to pass the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into Law.
Amaewhule’s led assembly, took the decision to override the Governor after the governor allegedly withheld his assent.
But, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, criticised the attitude of the members of the state legislature towards his administration, saying the members would cease to exist as legislators if he so decides.
The House had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024 and transmitted same to the Governor for assent, but the housed claimed that the Governor had declined assent.
Speaking on the Bill which was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack and debated upon by Members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, reiterated the essence of the Bill, noting that it would secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that taxpayers’ money are not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.
Amaewhule regretted a situation where contracts awarded without legal backing and the State being governed in a dictatorial manner.
He added that despite all the malfeasance, the House would continue to uphold the Laws of Rivers State and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered; stressing that if the Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, continue in this manner, the House would at the appropriate time take more stringent measures.
According to him, the House cannot stand aloof and watch the Governor continue to breach the Laws of the State in a tyrannical manner.
