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The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday commenced fresh moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Oduh.

Naija News reports that lawmakers led by Majority Leader Major Jack levelled eight allegations against Governor Fubara

The Governor was accused of: (1) reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds; (2) unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds; (3) hindering the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties; (4) illegal appointment of persons without screening by the Assembly as required by the constitution; and (5) seizure of salaries and funds meant for lawmakers.

Other allegations include: (6) seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi; (7) refusal to implement constitutional provisions on the financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary; and (8) withholding of funds meant for the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, thereby hindering its operations.

Procedure to impeach a governor in Nigeria

1. Notice of allegations

A written notice alleging gross misconduct must be signed by at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the State House of Assembly. The notice is then presented to the Speaker.

2. Service of notice

The Speaker must serve the notice on the Governor within seven days. The notice must clearly outline the specific allegations.

3. Resolution to investigate

Within 14 days of receiving the notice, the House votes on whether to investigate. The motion requires the support of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of all members. If it fails, the process ends immediately.

4. Constitution of an investigation panel

If the motion passes, the Speaker requests the Chief Judge of the State to constitute a seven-member panel. Members must be individuals of unquestionable integrity and must not be politicians or public servants.

5. Investigation by the panel

The panel has three months to investigate the allegations. The Governor has the right to defend himself personally or through lawyers. A fair hearing is mandatory.

6. Panel’s report

The panel submits its findings to the House. If no misconduct is found, the process ends. If misconduct is established, the House proceeds to the next step.

7. Final removal vote

The House must pass a resolution supported by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all members. Once passed, the Governor is immediately removed from office.

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu has refuted reports circulating on social media alleging that he has defected to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Speaking to New Telegraph on Thursday, Adamu dismissed the claims as false and an attempt to gain attention via social media.

He firmly stated, “I am not an ungrateful politician,” emphasizing his loyalty and commitment to his political journey.

Adamu, a two-term governor of Nasarawa State and Senator under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has a long-standing political career, having served as the Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He also played a pivotal role in the formation of the APC, helping steer the party to prominence before serving as its National Chairman in 2022.

The report that claimed Adamu had defected to ADC circulated widely online, suggesting the alleged move was the result of a deepening rift within the APC. The report cited months of quiet consultations and dissatisfaction with the internal direction of the APC. According to the report, Adamu’s exit would be a significant blow to the APC, given his status as one of its most influential figures since the party’s formation in 2015.

However, Adamu strongly rejected these claims, stating, “Don’t mind the social media reporter. They want to draw me out, but I have nothing to tell anybody. I am not an ungrateful politician. I served at the highest level of my party, and I am where I am today.”

Adamu served as National Chairman of the APC until his removal in 2023, following the general election that brought President Bola Tinubu into office. During his tenure, he was a strong supporter of Senate President Ahmed Lawan’s presidential bid under the APC platform.

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has dumped the ruling party for the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Adamu, who was on Thursday received into the APC fold in Keffi, Nasarawa State, said his decision was guided by principle and conscience.

The ex senator, who was appointed APC national chairman in March 2022, “resigned” from office in July 2023, less than two months after President Bola Tinubu was sworn in as president.

While addressing a gathering of APC faithful at his defection arena, Adamu accused the APC of deviating from its founding ideals.

According to him, the ruling party sidelined experienced members, suppressed dissenting opinions, and weakened internal democracy.

The ex party chair served as governor of Nasarawa State for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. He got elected to the Senate in 2007 to represent Nasarawa West senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Republic (PDP).

While in the Senate, the 79-year-old politician had joined nine other serving PDP senators to defect to the APC in 2014.

The Nasarawa born politician had maintained a low profile since he left office as APC, in circumstances considered cloudy by the public.

Recall that Adamu had, in the build up to the APC presidential nominations in 2022, declared a former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

However, President Bola Tinubu defeated Lawan and 12 others to win the APC ticket and eventually won the presidential election.

Analysts and APC sources as well had attributed Adamu’s forced resignation as national chairman, to his open hostility towards Tinubu before and during the 2023 presidential election.

Not a few believed that President Tinubu forced him to resign.