FUBARA’S UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY, SAYS RIVERS ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of undermining democracy in the state. The remarks followed the commencement of impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
Amaewhule condemned Fubara for “deliberately refusing” to present the state budget as required by law. “Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he chose not to,” he said, adding that the governor has reportedly boasted to his followers that the assembly is powerless, describing lawmakers as “toothless bulldogs” unable to enforce the constitution.
The speaker said the executive has been traveling and spending public funds without legislative approval, noting that this continued disregard for the law contributed to both the first and second impeachment attempts. He also claimed that interventions by President Bola Tinubu and former Governor Nyesom Wike failed to resolve the impasse.
Amaewhule accused the governor of abandoning the 2023 appropriation law, awarding contracts, and spending without legislative sanction. “Even when we had approval in 2023 for the governor to spend, he left the 2023 appropriation law and started awarding contracts independently,” he said.
Describing the situation as unprecedented, the speaker said: “Rivers State has never had it this bad in the entire country. Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake. It is unbelievable that in the 21st century, a state like Rivers has neither presented nor passed an appropriation bill for 2026.”
He added that Fubara’s actions pose a significant threat to democratic governance, warning that allowing him to remain in office could further endanger the state’s democracy.
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