The political crisis in Rivers State escalated on Monday as lawmakers accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of gross misconduct.

Twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly levelled the allegations in two letters addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, which were subsequently transmitted to Governor Fubara and his deputy.

According to the lawmakers, their action was in compliance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and other relevant laws. The constitution mandates that such allegations must be signed by at least one-third of the House members and must specify the particulars of the alleged misconduct.

The letters, signed by all 26 lawmakers, were presented during Monday’s plenary session in adherence to constitutional provisions. The Speaker is required to ensure that the notices are served on the accused officeholders and all members of the House within seven days of receipt.

The accusations, detailing five specific instances of gross misconduct, were outlined in separate notices addressed to both the governor and the deputy governor.

Governor Fubara was accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstructing the functioning of the Rivers State House of Assembly—an independent arm of government—and appointing individuals to positions within the state government without subjecting them to the required screening and confirmation process.

Additional allegations against the governor include withholding the salaries, allowances, and funds allocated to the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as withholding the salary of the Clerk of the Assembly, Emeka Amadi.

Deputy Governor Odu was also accused of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of individuals to government positions without adhering to the required screening and confirmation procedures.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Amaewhule officially transmitted the notices to Governor Fubara and his deputy on Monday, stating that the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

In the letter conveying the allegations, the Speaker called on the governor and his deputy to “reply to the allegations made against you in the said ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’ accordingly.”

“In doing so, your attention is drawn to the provisions of Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which states: ‘Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement is made by the officeholder in response to the allegations), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without debate, whether or not the allegations should be investigated,’” Amaewhule’s letter to the governor read.

Monday’s development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State. However, it remains uncertain how Governor Fubara and his deputy will respond to the allegations and the growing pressure from the legislative arm of the state government.