Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not received any official impeachment notice from the State House of Assembly, three days after 27 lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment move was launched last Thursday by the majority of Assembly members believed to be aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
Although the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had earlier stated that the impeachment notice would be formally served on the governor, a source within Government House revealed on Monday evening that no such communication had been received.
Speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation, the source said both the governor and his deputy were yet to review any letter from the Assembly. According to him, Governor Fubara only returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and went on to attend activities marking the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
“He has barely had time to rest and is focused on inspecting several ongoing projects across the state. As of now, no impeachment letter has been received, to the best of my knowledge. The governor remains committed to his duties and the development of the state”.
Meanwhile, cracks appear to be emerging within the camp pushing for the impeachment, as two lawmakers identified with the pro-Wike bloc have withdrawn their support for the move. The lawmakers publicly appealed for the suspension of the impeachment process and called for dialogue as a way out of the political crisis.
At a press conference held on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Minority Leader of the House and lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, urged his colleagues to show restraint and consider alternative means of resolving the dispute.
He explained that the appeal followed intense pressure from elders and prominent leaders within and outside Rivers State, who have been calling for moderation and reconciliation.
“We are appealing to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and explore solutions outside impeachment,” Nwankwo said. “Many respected voices have reached out, asking for leniency and an amicable resolution of the crisis.”
While acknowledging alleged constitutional breaches by the governor and his deputy, Nwankwo maintained that impeachment should not be the first option.
Also speaking at the briefing, the lawmaker representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, supported the call for caution, stressing that lawmakers should approach the situation with compassion.
“Yes, there may have been constitutional infractions, but we are human beings. We are pleading with our colleagues to reconsider this step in the interest of peace,” Abbey said.
He added that Governor Fubara also has a responsibility to help ease tensions by ensuring strict adherence to constitutional provisions going forward.
“The governor must play his part by avoiding further constitutional issues. That will help in achieving a peaceful resolution,” he noted.
The latest development comes shortly after Nyesom Wike concluded his ‘thank you tour’ of local government areas in Rivers State on Sunday before returning to Abuja via a private jet. Notably, the former governor did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Governor Fubara’s home council. No official explanation was given for the omission.
