Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not been formally served with any impeachment notice by the State House of Assembly, despite the commencement of impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, three days ago.
Sources at the Rivers State Government House confirmed on Monday that no official letter has been delivered to the governor, even though the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had earlier indicated that the impeachment notice would be forwarded.
The governor is said to have returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and has since been engaged in official state duties.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Fubara and his deputy had not sighted any communication from the lawmakers.
“The governor returned from his trip overseas on Sunday and even attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service. He has been busy inspecting projects across the state and has not received any letter,” the source said.
The impeachment move was initiated last Thursday by 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who accused the governor and his deputy of alleged misconduct and constitutional breaches.
The development is the latest escalation in the political crisis that has engulfed the state following the breakdown of the relationship between Fubara and his predecessor.
Meanwhile, two pro-Wike lawmakers have withdrawn from the impeachment plot, calling on their colleagues to suspend the process and explore alternative means of resolving the political crisis.
The Minority Leader of the House, Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma State Constituency, and Peter Abbey, representing Degema State Constituency, made the appeal during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Nwankwo said the intervention followed appeals from elders and leaders within and outside the state.
“We are here to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how this matter can be resolved apart from impeachment proceedings. We are begging our colleagues to reconsider and allow for an amicable resolution,” he said.
Abbey also urged caution, stressing the need for a humane approach.
“The governor may have infringed on parts of the Constitution, but we are human beings. We are pleading with our colleagues to reconsider,” he said, adding that Fubara also has a responsibility to avoid further constitutional violations.
The development comes a day after Wike concluded his ‘thank you tour’ of local government areas in the state and returned to Abuja.
He did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home local government area of Governor Fubara. An APC chieftain from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Wike deliberately avoided the area due to the prevailing political tension.
“That will be like putting your hand in crocodile-infested water. No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended. He knows what is good for him,” the politician said.
As tensions continue to rise, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven-man reconciliation committee to mediate in the crisis.
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.
In a joint statement, PANDEF leaders described the situation in Rivers State as disturbing and called on all parties to embrace dialogue, tolerance and political equanimity. The forum warned that the crisis could threaten peace, stability and economic activities in the state if not urgently addressed.
The elders also commended President Bola Tinubu, leaders of the All Progressives Congress, and other stakeholders for the ongoing efforts to restore peace, urging all sides to cooperate fully with the reconciliation committee.
