The Rivers State House of Assembly is intensifying actions that could lead to the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The 27 lawmakers of the house are loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who Fubara’s predecessor.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, on Wednesday, issued a letter to the governor, demanding the removal of 19 commissioners and political appointees who were not screened by the Assembly.
The Speaker also requested a fresh list of nominees for proper screening.
In the letter, signed by Amaewhule, the governor was accused of making “illegal appointments” without legislative approval, in violation of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws.
The development marks the latest escalation in the political crisis between Governor Fubara and the Assembly, which has seen increasing tensions over appointments and governance in the state.
Amaewhule specifically frowned at the inability of the Governor to forward the name of Dagogo Iboroma for screening as Attorney general and Commissioner of Justice in the state, stating that such appointment contravenes section 192 (2) and (5) as well as section 195 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The letter, however, requested that the Governor should submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers state executive council as well as list of nominees for appointments to fill vacancies in all the offices within 48 hours.
