February 28 (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminialayi Fubara, citing what it described as executive recklessness, rampant improprieties, and unconstitutional actions.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, February 28, the group applauded the verdict, which barred the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.
It described the ruling as a decisive end to what it considers Fubara’s disregard for constitutional order.
In a statement signed by Deputy President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and National Publicity Secretary Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze accused the governor of repeatedly ignoring calls for reconciliation with the Rivers State House of Assembly over the past 16 months.
The statement said the pivotal ruling, which halts financial allocations to the Rivers State Government, serves as an affirmation of justice for the long-suffering people of Rivers State.
The group further alleged that Fubara’s administration has been marked by actions detrimental to the democratic process, including the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex.
It added that the court’s unanimous ruling condemned the governor for his reckless decision to demolish the House of Assembly, an act aimed at preventing elected representatives from performing their constitutional duties.
Ohanaeze said Fubara’s offenses include the unlawful demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which obstructed lawmakers from their duties.
It also accused the governor of attempting to run a government with only four lawmakers out of a 32-member assembly to avoid impeachment, and of abusing presidential immunity under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to undermine the rule of law.
The group urged the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly to act decisively by commencing impeachment proceedings, arguing that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy is at stake.
It stated that it is imperative that the Rivers Assembly initiates impeachment proceedings without delay to safeguard democracy and uphold the rule of law.
The group also called for a disciplinary committee, led by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, to investigate and hold Fubara accountable for his alleged constitutional violations.
The statement concluded that the time for decisive action is now and that the future of governance in Rivers State depends on it.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
