The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has formally addressed Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara regarding actions that allegedly breach the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In a letter dated July 8, and signed by Speaker Amaewhule, the Assembly highlighted several constitutional breaches by Governor Fubara.
The letter was issued shortly after a plenary session on Monday.
The document, titled “Resolutions Reached at the First Legislative Day of the Second Session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” draws attention to the 2024 Appropriation Bill, which the governor has yet to present before the lawmakers.
The Assembly noted that this delay violates Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution and a January 2024 judgement by Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
"You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 in compliance with the judgement delivered on January 22, 2024, by Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho.
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 the bill within seven days from the date of this resolution," the letter stated.
The Assembly also accused Governor Fubara of violating Section 192(2) of the Constitution by inaugurating purported members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners and breaching Section 7(1) of the Constitution by swearing in unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 local government councils in the state.
"The learned Judge restrained you from dealing with the three suspended members who, with your connivance, are parading themselves as Rivers House of Assembly in total disobedience to the court order," the Assembly asserted.
The lawmakers further condemned Governor Fubara's continued transactions with the three suspended Assembly members, which they claimed showed contempt for the court's orders and the provisions of the Constitution.
“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.
We call on you to act lawfully without further delay,” the letter concluded.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has thus called on Governor Fubara to address these constitutional breaches and comply with legal and judicial directives to avoid further conflict and uphold the rule of law.
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