Impeachment storm: Fubara says no notice as two lawmakers pull out

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 commenced impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

Recall that the majority members of the Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, last Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings over alleged misconduct.

Although the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had said he would ensure that the impeachment letter was delivered to the governor, a source in Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.

The source, who craved anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said, “I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not reviewed any notice from the Assembly.

“Don’t forget that the governor returned from his trip overseas on Sunday and managed to attend the church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“He has not rested and he needs to inspect several ongoing projects scattered all over. So for now, I know he hasn’t received any letter. I have not seen the governor myself. The man is busy working for the good of the state as a practical man he is.”

Meanwhile, two of the pro-Wike lawmakers have backed out of the impeachment plot, urging their colleagues to suspend the move against Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The lawmakers made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, calling for  an alternative resolution to the political crisis.

The Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, called on the Assembly to exercise restraint and explore options outside the impeachment process.

“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how we can resolve this matter apart from impeachment proceedings,” he said.

Nwankwo said the intervention was prompted by appeals from elders and leaders within and outside the state, urging the lawmakers to show leniency.

“That is why we are here this morning to appeal to the conscience of our fellow colleagues. Having listened to so many pleas, calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, begging for leniency.

“We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably, even though the governor and deputy governor have infringed on the constitution, but we are appealing to them to reconsider our stand,” he added.

Also speaking, the member representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing the need for a humane approach to the situation.

“Fubara has infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings, and we, as members of the 10th assembly, want to plead with our colleagues to please reconsider,” Abbey said.

He added that the governor also has a responsibility to help de-escalate the tension by avoiding further constitutional violations.

“The governor, too, has a role to play; he must ensure he does not infringe further on the constitution. That will bring an amicable settlement to the whole thing,” he said.

The development comes a day after  the FCT Minister, Wike, concluded his ‘thank you tour’ of local government areas of the state on Sunday and subsequently left for Abuja aboard a private jet.

It was gathered that Wike did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home LGA of  Fubara. No official reason was given for the omission.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress from the area told our reporter that Wike deliberately avoided Opobo.

The politician, who declined to have his name in print due to the sensitive nature of the situation, said, “My brother, if you are the one with the current political tension in the state created by Wike himself, will you have gone to Opobo?

“That will be putting your hand in a crocodile-infested water. Although nobody asked him not to come, nobody threatened him, but I think he advised himself.

“Give it to him, he knows what is good for him.”

He added that even when the FCT Minister visited neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area, which is close to Opobo, turnout was low.

“In Bonny, when the Minister went there like we saw on TV, the place was empty. You know the history of Bonny and Opobo, so it was expected. But of course, he knows he wouldn’t have visited Opobo.”

Asked what would have happened if Wike had visited Opobo, he said calmly, “Nothing, but he will address himself. No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended. So he knows.”

Recall that Wike concluded the thank-you visit in his own local government area, Obio/Akpor, with a rally held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, on Sunday. The event reportedly recorded the largest turnout, with traffic gridlock stretching through Aba Road and the Rumuola axis.

Amid the escalating political tension, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum has constituted a seven-man reconciliation committee to mediate in the Rivers State crisis.

The committee, chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has a former senator representing Edo North, Senator Obende Domingo, as vice chairman;  a former Minister of Housing, Chief Essien Nduese,; and a retired federal permanent secretary, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari,

Other members are a former Director of the Department of State Services, Chief Mike Ejiofor; a former Attorney-General of Cross River State, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN); and  PANDEF’s Deputy National Secretary, Prince Godwin Okotie.

The Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee of PANDEF said the committee was set up in line with the group’s long-standing tradition of peace-making across the Niger Delta.

The forum urged all parties in the crisis to cooperate fully with the committee “as they selflessly commit their time and experience to this arduous assignment, with the objective of achieving a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution through a dispassionate and inclusive process.”

In a statement jointly signed by the first military governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah; and PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, the forum described the situation in Rivers State as disturbing.

It appealed to all parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, “guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.”

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development, and the welfare of the people of Rivers State, as well as the interests of other citizens of the South-South, Nigerians at large, and the sizeable expatriate community resident in the State. We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state.”

PANDEF said it was regrettable that the crisis had degenerated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order. This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers State to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole.”

The forum, however, commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, elders of Rivers State, and other stakeholders for their ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the state. (Punch)