NASS urged to take over Rivers Assembly duties

A group of women from the South-South region has called on the National Assembly to immediately take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), accusing its members of failing to discharge their constitutional responsibilities. The women, under the umbrella of the South-South Professional Women Association International (SSPWAI), also criticised the […]

A group of women from the South-South region has called on the National Assembly to immediately take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), accusing its members of failing to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
The women, under the umbrella of the South-South Professional Women Association International (SSPWAI), also criticised the lawmakers for threatening to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara after he reportedly rejected their demand for N500 billion for constituency projects.
SSPWAI’s National President, Dr. Constance Mbang, in a statement delivered at a press conference, alleged that RSHA members had earlier prevailed on the former Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to unlawfully release N350 million to each lawmaker under the guise of constituency projects.
According to Mbang, an additional N100 million was later released to each legislator, while brand new Prado SUVs were also procured for them during the period of emergency rule.
“We call on the National Assembly to immediately take over the legislative duties of the RSHA, as they have clearly shown incapacity to function in line with the constitution,” the group said.
She alleged that the current impeachment attempt against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, was driven by Fubara’s refusal to collaborate with the Assembly to “squander state resources.”
She further claimed that lawmakers were being influenced by political interests opposed to the governor and accused them of obstructing peace efforts, including a reconciliation panel set up by PANDEF and chaired by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.
SSPWAI commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for rejecting a request to constitute an impeachment panel and questioned the move to impeach both the governor and his deputy simultaneously.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the RSHA Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to text messages as of the time of filing this report.