Rivers Lawmakers Once Again Threaten To Impeach Gov. Fubara Over Alleged Constitutional Breaches

The Rivers State House of Assembly has threatened to impeach Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of violating the constitution.

The lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of running the state without an appropriation law, as well as recklessly abandoning certain state laws.

The threat was issued by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, led by the speaker of the house, Rt Hon. Martins Amaewhule, during a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Recall that the lawmakers had been at odds with Governor Fubara since October 2023, following disagreements between Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The lawmakers emphasised that they withdrew their impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara out of respect for President Tinubu, with the hope that the governor would fully uphold his end of the bargain.

The lawmakers also accused some of Governor Fubara’s political allies of spreading lies about them in an attempt to tarnish their hard-earned reputation.

They stated: “To this day, Rivers State remains the only state without an Appropriation Law, and the Governor recklessly disregards the state’s laws. These new hawks on the scene, as well as those who refer to the Governor as “Mr. Innocent,” will not advise him.

“They prefer to hold talk shows, organise rallies, hold press conferences, and announce that the House has initiated impeachment proceedings against the Governor for no just cause, but they fail to ask the Governor if he has not been informed of the specifics of gross misconduct levelled against him, or at least read them when they were filed in Court in response to his petition.

“They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the people’s mandate and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do what was necessary, including impeaching the Governor as a last resort. So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no one is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.”

The lawmakers claimed that the former Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, led by former Minister of Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo, was frantically attempting to discredit the FCT minister in order to paint him black in front of President Tinubu.

“The “Former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council” is the most recent group to be formed in opposition to the 10th Assembly. In a press conference signed by Dr. Abiye Sekibo on March 26, 2024, this group claimed that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional assembly.

“Others in this group include Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba, and Prince Uche Secondus.” Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, Sir Celestine Omehia, and others are among the desperate politicians who have left their homes and gathered under a canopy with pictures of H.E. Atiku Abubakar and H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa on a banner behind them, professing their new support for Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor. On the other hand, they mocked the 10th Assembly, which they dislike, for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), which happens to be the President’s political party.

“Even worse, they lied about and attacked the FCT Minister, who worked tirelessly for the President and Governor’s victory in Rivers State. In other words, they are against those who defeated and humiliated them by ensuring the President and Governor’s victory in the state, but they now “subscribe” to the President and Governor. What a poor strategy from a group of people who believe they are smart!”

Continuing, the lawmakers stated, “We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our father land, and no number of threats, including those of violence against us, such as the attack on the Speaker’s residence, will cause us to abandon our Constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.”

“Efforts to use misguided individuals and attack dogs to spread lies about the House or misinform the public in order to bring the House into disrepute have only strengthened our resolve to better represent our people by focusing on our work and ignoring their distractions.

“To that end, the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly is determined to make a positive difference in legislation, oversight functions, and effective representation. So far, several bills in the best interests of the state have passed, as have resolutions aimed at improving things.”