Photo: Amaewhule, Rivers Speaker
By: Henry Isieke
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has said legislators should consider resigning their seats if they are unable to uphold and enforce the constitution under the prevailing political situation in the state.
Amaewhule made the remark on Thursday during plenary amid the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. He faulted narratives portraying the situation as a personal feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the issue was fundamentally a constitutional matter involving the governor.
During the session, the House formally read a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara. The notice, signed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions alleged to be inconsistent with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Reacting, the Speaker said lawmakers were being unfairly blamed while alleged constitutional violations by the executive were being ignored.
He described the governor as “a threat to our democracy” and questioned the relevance of the legislature if it could not discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
Amaewhule stressed that the matter had no connection with personal disagreements involving the FCT minister, adding that attention should remain on the constitution and the duties of elected officials.
He warned that remaining in office without the authority to enforce the law would render the legislature ineffective, noting that unchecked executive actions erode democratic governance.
The Speaker also raised concerns over the management of public funds, questioning the purpose of electing lawmakers if they were unable to perform oversight functions or safeguard the independence of the legislature.
He concluded by affirming that the House would pursue the impeachment process to its logical conclusion, stating that the Assembly had reached a point where decisive action was unavoidable.
Earlier, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read the notice detailing allegations against Governor Fubara, while the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice against the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Oduh.
The Assembly had previously cited allegations including extra-budgetary spending, the demolition of the Assembly complex, the alleged withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and non-compliance with a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
