The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, on Thursday accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, of undermining democratic governance, alleging persistent violations of constitutional and legislative procedures.
His comments came shortly after the Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct, with Amaewhule faulting Fubara for refusing to present the state budget as required by law and for allegedly spending public funds without legislative approval.
Amaewhule said, “Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he chose not to,” adding that the governor had allegedly boasted that presidential intervention would neutralise the Assembly, describing lawmakers as “nothing but a toothless bulldog.”
He further alleged that “they are moving about from place to place, spending taxpayers’ money without approval,” insisting that repeated interventions by President Bola Tinubu and former governor Nyesom Wike failed to resolve the impasse.
Describing the situation as unprecedented, the speaker said, “This is a sad commentary for our democracy. Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu, they are nothing but a threat to our democracy,” warning that Rivers State had never experienced such a governance crisis, particularly with no appropriation bill presented or passed for the 2026 fiscal year.