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By Francesca Hangeior

The Rivers State House of Assembly has served a notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

This development is coming amid heightened political tensions between the House of Assembly and Governor Fubara.

The notice reads; “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”

It could be recalled that despite Governor Fubara’s renewed effort to present the 2025 budget in line with Supreme Court directives, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, adjourned its plenary indefinitely.

The decision was made during a plenary session held at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The move came just 24 hours after Fubara wrote to the Assembly requesting a new date for the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill.

In a personally signed letter dated March 13, Fubara proposed Wednesday or any other convenient date in March for the budget presentation.

He stated that this was the second notice sent to the lawmakers regarding the budget presentation, emphasising that his actions were in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment of February 28, which mandated the budget’s presentation to the Assembly.

In his letter, the governor reminded the Assembly of the events of March 12, when he and his entourage were locked out of the legislative complex despite prior notice of his visit.

He urged lawmakers to put the state’s interests above political differences.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Fubara wrote.

Earlier, a dramatic scene at the Assembly complex on March 12, when Governor Fubara was locked out upon arrival.

Security personnel at the complex shut the gates as the governor’s convoy approached, citing a lack of official communication between him and the Assembly leadership.

However, Fubara maintained that he had formally informed Speaker Amaewhule of his visit through a letter and had also attempted to reach him by phone.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, had requested a meeting with lawmakers on March 10 to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and initiate a peace dialogue.

The incident at the Assembly complex adds to growing political uncertainty in the state, as stakeholders await further developments.

President Bola Tinubu had urged leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to ensure that Governor Fubara complied with the Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis in the state.

Tinubu made the remarks during a recent closed-door meeting with PANDEF leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“I got your signal and I got your concerns, particularly concerning Rivers State. I have been on it for quite some time. I foresaw this crisis long before I stepped in. We reached an agreement—a written agreement—which both parties signed,” Tinubu said.

“It is sad we find ourselves in this situation today. This is a nation with a rule of law. I should not be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if there is no rule of law.”

“I have total confidence in our judiciary. Now, the Supreme Court has spoken—that is it. Please go back home and help him (Governor Fubara) to implement those recommendations within the shortest possible time,” he added.

The president also revealed that he had intervened in the crisis both privately and publicly, offering counsel to Fubara on the best way forward.