IMPEACHMENT CLOUD HANGS AS FUBARA AWAITS ASSEMBLY’S MOVE

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, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged misconduct.
Although the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had stated that the impeachment letter would be delivered to the governor, a source at the Government House 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 seen any impeachment notice.
“I can tell you that the governor and his deputy have not received or reviewed any notice from the Assembly,” the source said.
“The governor only returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service. He has also been busy inspecting ongoing projects across the state.”
Meanwhile, two lawmakers aligned with the pro-Wike bloc have withdrawn support for the impeachment, urging their colleagues to suspend the process and explore alternative ways to resolve the political crisis.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, appealed for restraint and dialogue.
“We are calling on our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and find a solution outside the impeachment process,” Nwankwo said, adding that the appeal followed interventions by elders and leaders within and outside the state.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing the need for a humane and conciliatory approach.
“While constitutional issues may exist, we are human beings and we urge our colleagues to reconsider,” Abbey said, adding that the governor also has a responsibility to avoid further constitutional breaches to help de-escalate tensions.
The development comes a day after Wike concluded his ‘thank-you tour’ of local government areas in the state and returned to Abuja. It was observed that the FCT Minister did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Governor Fubara’s home LGA, during the tour.
An APC chieftain from the area, who spoke anonymously, said Wike deliberately avoided Opobo due to the prevailing political tension. He claimed turnout was also low when Wike visited neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area.
Amid the escalating crisis, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate in the Rivers political impasse.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), with Senator Obende Domingo as vice chairman. Other members include Chief Essien Nduese, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, Chief Mike Ejiofor, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN), and Prince Godwin Okotie.
PANDEF said the committee was set up in line with its peace-building tradition and urged all parties to cooperate fully to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution.
In a joint statement signed by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah, and Ambassador Godknows Igali, the forum described the situation in Rivers State as disturbing and called on all stakeholders to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and political maturity.
The forum also expressed concern over the impeachment proceedings, warning that the crisis, if unchecked, could threaten peace and stability in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.