Joseph Johnson, commissioner of information and communication in Rivers state, says the actions of the house of assembly against Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, could bring government operations to a standstill.

His comments follow the assembly’s decision on Monday to serve a notice of “gross misconduct” on Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The notice, which was signed by 26 lawmakers, is seen as the first step towards impeachment.

In a statement issued shortly after the notice was served, Johnson warned that the ongoing political crisis could have severe economic consequences for residents, particularly civil servants and retirees.

“It is glaringly clear that with the current actions of the House, the dire consequences and harsh realities that the civil servants, retirees and people of the state will face unimaginable economic hardships, as the government will be unable to pay salaries, pensions and other emoluments as well as perform other obligations at the end of the month, as both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation have been ordered to seize revenue allocations to the state until its judgment is fully implemented,” he said.

“The collateral damages of the actions of the legislative arm of government in Rivers will be so severe as non-release of warehoused revenues due the state from the Federation Account will ultimately ground the operation of all sectors of the government.”

Johnson said Fubara was willing to resubmit the 2025 budget and fully comply with the supreme court’s ruling to maintain peace in the state.

He urged the lawmakers to reconsider their actions, warning that continued tensions could lead to avoidable economic, social, and political crises for the people of Rivers state.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has accused his successor, Uba Sani of collecting kickbacks from contractors before awarding contracts.

El-Rufai alleged that Sani collects 40 percent of kickbacks from contractors.

He disclosed this in an interview with Freedom Radio Kaduna, yesterday.

According to El-Rufai: “I have never stolen a kobo from anyone. If any contractor has given me a bribe, let him come forward.

“When the ICPC invited many contractors, they testified that they had never met me. Contracts worth billions were executed without me ever meeting the contractors—I worked only through commissioners and permanent secretaries.

“Uba goes to Abuja with contract documents, offering them to contractors in exchange for a 40 per cent kickback. We know what is happening.

“They assumed that was how we ran the government, but they are wrong.”

The former governor who defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Social Democratic Party also denied receiving bribes from contractors.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has served a notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu.

According to the notice, the lawmakers claimed the action was in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice read…

Credit: Blaze 91.5 FM