Members of the  Rivers state House of Assembly have commenced  impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu over what they claim were gross misconduct.

The move which is seen as an escalation of the faceoff between the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike underscores the deteriorating political situation in the oil rich state

The Majority Leader of the  Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara and his deputy at Thursday session of the state Assembly which was presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule

Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, Jack reeled out seven points of alleged gross misconduct against Fubara, which included the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, a refusal to obey the supreme court on the financial autonomy of the house.

After Jack laid his notice before the Speaker, who said the notice will be served to the governor in seven days, the deputy leader, Linda Stewart also brought forward a notice of gross misconduct against Odu.

Some of the gross misconducts allegations included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from performing her constitutional duties as outlined by the 1999 Constitution, conniving to allow unauthorized persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate House of Assembly.

Other allegations were that she approached another group of people for budgetary approval instead of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, seizure of salaries and allowances accruing to the RSHA and the Assembly Service Commission.

Twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly signed the notice.