Nyesom Wike The crisis rocking the Rivers State political space is becoming more interesting as more actions to show solidarity with the playmakers in the crisis, former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara seem to be creating more problems for their prospective ally.
In a previous publication, it was clearly stated the Two Steps Taken by Gov Fubara Which May Quicken His Impeachment.
Interestingly, less than one hour after the publication, there have been political developments in Rivers State that precisely spoke to verify what was highlighted in the publication.
Amazingly, while the above publication highlights the factors that may work against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, some latest developments in Rivers State may also work against the pro-Wike's lawmakers toward impeachment of Governor Fubara.
Going by the steps involved in the process of impeaching a Governor, there is a stage that may form an unbreakable shackle towards actualizing the impeachment of Governor Fubara. Interestingly, the obstacle was a result of the show of loyalty to Nyesom Wike by his followers.
Let us assume the 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Wike decide to initiate an impeachment process against Governor Fubara, the following processes must be followed, diligently.
In the course of impeaching a Governor, at least one-third of the members of the House of Assembly must write a notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly alleging "gross misconduct" on the side of the Governor.
According to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, gross misconduct is defined as "a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the National Assembly to gross misconduct."
Considerably, the two clauses here are easy to be met by the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State's political imbroglio. They have the number in the House of Assembly, and "gross misconduct" is just the second name of any state governor in Nigeria.
Talking about gross misconduct, arguably, the demolition of the House of Assembly Complex, proposed violation of the just passed Local Government Autonomy Bill in Rivers State, and bulk of other allegations are what could be sponsored as "gross misconduct" on the side of the Governor. Although anyone can argue the ingenuity of the allegations, the power lies in the hands of the lawmakers to make a final decision which is superior to public opinions, on that.
After this, the House will have to send a notice of the allegations to the Governor and wait 7 days for the Governor to reply to the notice or not.
In the case the governor refuses to reply, the Speaker, within 14 days, will raise a motion without debate on whether the allegations should be investigated or not. If at least, two-thirds of the House supports the investigation, then the House moves to the next phase of the impeachment process. However, if the investigation could not gain two-thirds support, the impeachment process would die a natural death.
Actually, pro-Wike loyalists in Rivers State have no problem satisfying all these criteria, but there is a difficult shackle set by the next line of action if the impeachment process received two-thirds support at the previous stage.
After the two-thirds majority support gives life to the impeachment process, the Speaker is mandated to request the Chief Justice of the State to constitute a panel who must be people of integrity devoid of partisanship.
The panel has three months to investigate the allegation and submit its report to the State House of Assembly for consideration which needs a two-thirds majority to impeach a sitting Governor, and this is where the shackle resides.
Although the Chief Justice of Rivers State is a loyalist of former Governor Nyesom Wike, if the State Governor Siminalayi Fubara [himself] and a few number of the House of Assembly could suddenly turn their back to their benefactor, what is the proximity that the Chief Justice of Rivers State won't have been hijacked by the Governor Fubara's cycle of the crisis, knowing fully well that Chief Justice is the only person in the process that can safe him from being impeached.
The race to win the heart of the Chief Justice of Rivers State remains the only shackle that can hinder the ways of Nyesom Wike and his loyalists to get Governor Siminalayi Fubara impeached latest by May 2024.
Category: World-News
Tag: Fubara vs Wike Rivers State news process of impeaching a state governor
Written by Author (author)
Published 12/14/2023 8:18:35 PM