JUST IN: Amaewhule-Assembly Writes Gov Fubara, Accuses him of Constitutional Breaches

The Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a formal letter to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, detailing several alleged breaches of the 1999 Constitution.

The letter, dated July 8 and signed by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, followed a plenary session held on Monday. Titled “Resolutions Reached on the First Legislative Day of the Second Session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” it outlines the governor’s failure to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill in accordance with Section 121(1) of the Constitution and a Federal High Court ruling by Justice J.K Omotosho on January 22, 2024.

The Assembly asserted that Governor Fubara has yet to submit the budget to the duly constituted House under Amaewhule’s speakership, as required by Section 122 of the Constitution. Consequently, the state government is barred from using funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund until the bill is presented within seven days of the resolution.

Additionally, the Assembly accused Governor Fubara of violating Section 192(2) of the Constitution by inaugurating alleged members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners without proper procedure. They also cited a breach of Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2023 for appointing unelected individuals to manage the 23 local government councils, contravening a judgment by Justice Omotosho.

The letter highlighted that the governor has been dealing with three suspended Assembly members, allegedly in defiance of court orders, and accused him of failing to prevent impostors from assuming governmental positions. These actions, the Assembly stated, amount to gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The House urged Governor Fubara to comply with constitutional and judicial mandates without further delay and expressed their continued high regard for his office.