Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers State House Of Assembly, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, of constituting a threat to democratic governance.
The accusation followed the commencement of impeachment proceedings earlier on Monday against the governor and his deputy over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
Amaewhule criticised Fubara for what he described as a deliberate refusal to present the state budget in line with constitutional requirements.
“Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he chose not to,” Amaewhule said.
He alleged that the governor frequently boasts about seeking presidential intervention to direct the legislature.
“And the governor has been boasting that he will always go and meet the president, for the president to call us and give us instructions,” he said.
“He has been telling his followers that this assembly, we are nothing but a toothless bulldog, that this 10th House of Assembly cannot do anything and cannot enforce the constitution.
The speaker described the situation as deeply harmful to democratic practice in Rivers state.
“This is a sad commentary for our democracy. Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu, they are nothing but a threat to our democracy.”
Amaewhule warned that allowing the governor and his deputy to remain in office could further erode democratic institutions.
“If they are allowed to remain in office, I don’t know what will become of our democracy,” he said.
“And they are moving about from place to place, spending taxpayers’ money without approval
“Part of what led to the first impeachment effort and second impeachment effort has to do with refusal to present budgets.”
Amaewhule disclosed that several reconciliation efforts led by President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, failed to resolve the dispute.
“Mr President has called several meetings, and our leader, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike, has called several meetings,” he said.
“He (Fubara) said he will not present the budget, that he is above the constitution, and nothing will happen to him if he does not present it.”
The speaker further alleged that the governor abandoned the 2023 appropriation law while continuing to approve spending.
“Even when we had approval in 2023 for the governor to spend, the governor left the 2023 appropriation law and started awarding contracts to spend,” he said.
“Rivers State has never had it this bad in the entire Nigeria. Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake; he 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 maintained that no constitutional barrier exists preventing the governor from presenting the budget.
The speaker reiterated claims that Fubara routinely tells supporters that the legislature is powerless, allegedly referring to lawmakers as “toothless bulldogs” unable to enforce the constitution.