Rivers: Impeachment move suffers setback as key lawmakers withdraw support, Fubara yet to be served notice

Moves to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara hit a major snag on Monday as two lawmakers previously linked to the plot publicly backed out and appealed for the suspension of impeachment proceedings against the governor and the deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

The Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency), and Hon. Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency) urged their colleagues to abandon the impeachment route and pursue dialogue to resolve the political crisis engulfing the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the lawmakers said their change of position followed intense appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State.

“We are calling on our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and explore other options apart from impeachment,” Nwankwo said. “There have been several pleas from respected elders and leaders who want peace to return to the state.”

While acknowledging allegations of constitutional breaches by the governor and his deputy, Nwankwo said impeachment was not the only solution.

“Yes, there may have been infractions, but we believe this matter can still be resolved amicably,” he added.

Abbey also appealed for restraint, describing the impeachment move as capable of worsening political tension in the state.

“We are human beings before anything else,” he said. “We plead with our colleagues to reconsider their stand. The governor, on his part, must also ensure that he does not further infringe on the constitution so that an amicable settlement can be reached.”

The lawmakers’ withdrawal came as it emerged that Governor Fubara has not received any formal impeachment notice from the House, despite claims by 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that impeachment proceedings had commenced last Thursday.

A Government House source said on Monday that neither the governor nor his deputy had been officially served any notice.

“The governor returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and has been attending to official engagements. As of now, no impeachment letter has been received,” the source said.

The crisis has also been linked to Wike’s recent ‘thank you tour’ of Rivers State, which ended on Sunday. Notably, the former governor did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Fubara’s home base, before departing for Abuja.

An APC chieftain from the area said Wike avoided Opobo due to the prevailing political tension.

“He simply advised himself,” the party stalwart said. “He knows that no true son or daughter of Opobo would have turned out for him.”

The tension has prompted the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to step in, setting up a seven-man reconciliation committee to mediate between the feuding parties.

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 Chief Essien Nduese, Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, Chief Mike Ejiofor, Mrs Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN) and Prince Godwin Okotie.

PANDEF, in a statement jointly signed by its leaders, described the impeachment process as disturbing and warned of its implications for peace and stability in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta.

The group urged all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation, stressing that peace, development and good governance must take precedence over political confrontation.