Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is yet to receive any formal notice of impeachment 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 commenced last Thursday by the majority members of the Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of misconduct.
Although Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had assured that the impeachment notice would be served on the governor, a Government House source disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said neither the governor nor his deputy had been served any notice from the Assembly.
“I can tell you that the governor and his deputy have not received or reviewed any impeachment notice,” the source said.
He added that Governor Fubara returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service the same day.
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According to the source, the governor has since been engaged with official duties, including inspections of ongoing projects across the state.
“For now, I know he has not received any letter. I have not even seen the governor myself. He has been busy attending to state matters,” the source said.
Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the pro-Wike bloc in the Assembly, as two lawmakers distanced themselves from the impeachment move and urged their colleagues to suspend the action against the governor and his deputy.
The lawmakers made the appeal during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, calling for alternative measures to resolve the political crisis.
House Minority Leader and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, urged the Assembly to exercise restraint and explore options outside impeachment.
“We are appealing to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how this matter can be resolved without resorting to impeachment,” Nwankwo said.
He said the intervention followed appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, urging lawmakers to adopt a conciliatory approach.
“We are appealing to the conscience of our colleagues. Despite the constitutional issues involved, we believe this matter can still be resolved amicably,” he added.
Also speaking, the member representing Degema State Constituency, Hon. Peter Abbey, echoed the call for restraint, stressing the need for a humane approach.
“While the governor may have infringed on certain constitutional provisions, we are human beings, and we are pleading with our colleagues to reconsider,” Abbey said.
He added that Governor Fubara also has a responsibility to help de-escalate tensions by avoiding further constitutional breaches.
“The governor must also play his part by ensuring there are no further infractions. That will help bring about a peaceful resolution,” he said.
The development came a day after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, concluded his ‘thank-you tour’ of local government areas in the state on Sunday and departed for Abuja aboard a private jet.
It was gathered that Wike did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home council of Governor Fubara, with no official explanation given for the omission.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain from the area said the minister deliberately avoided Opobo due to the prevailing political tension.
The politician, who declined to be named, said Wike exercised caution in staying away from the area.
“If you were in his position, would you go to Opobo under the present circumstances? That would be like putting your hand in crocodile-infested waters,” he said.
He added that although no one openly opposed Wike’s visit, low turnout was also recorded during his visit to neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area.
“When he visited Bonny, the turnout was poor. Given the history between Bonny and Opobo, it was expected,” the source said.
Asked what would have happened if Wike had visited Opobo, he said residents would have stayed away.
“No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended. He knows that,” the source added.
Recall that Wike concluded the tour in his Obio/Akpor Local Government Area with a rally at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, on Sunday, which recorded heavy turnout and traffic congestion along Aba Road and the Rumuola axis.
Amid the escalating political tension, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has set up a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate in the Rivers crisis.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), with former Edo North senator, Obende Domingo, as vice chairman.
Other members include former Housing Minister, Chief Essien Nduese; retired federal permanent secretary, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; former DSS Director, Chief Mike Ejiofor; former Cross River State Attorney-General, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN); and PANDEF Deputy National Secretary, Prince Godwin Okotie.
PANDEF’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee said the panel was constituted in line with the forum’s tradition of peace-building in the Niger Delta.
The group urged all parties to cooperate fully with the committee to achieve a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis.
In a joint statement signed by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah, and PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, the forum described the situation in Rivers State as disturbing.
It appealed to all sides to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue, tolerance and political restraint in the interest of peace and development.
PANDEF said it was regrettable that the crisis had degenerated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
“This is a disturbing development that requires urgent intervention to prevent further escalation and breakdown of law and order,” the forum said.
The elders noted the strategic importance of Rivers State to the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s overall political and economic stability.
PANDEF, however, commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers elders and other stakeholders for ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the state.
