As the political crisis in Rivers State deepened, prominent leaders in the state called for an immediate end to the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Port City News (TCPN) reported that the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Speaking in a recent interview on the state-owned television station, the elders described the legislative move as a witch hunt capable of undermining the state’s economic stability.
Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives, and Barrister Philip Opara-ji, a former chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, spoke on behalf of the elders. They maintained that there were no legal or political grounds for the governor’s removal.
According to them, the constitutional requirement of “gross misconduct” had not been satisfied. They noted that the initial momentum behind the impeachment process had waned, particularly following judicial interventions.
They again described the exercise as a witch hunt, insisting that there was no evidence of gross misconduct on the part of the governor.
News: Wike Slams Rivers Govt for Denying Renewed Hope Family Entry to Government Facility
They argued that the Constitution did not envisage a situation where lawmakers would resort to impeachment at every turn, especially with the Chief Judge declining to set up a panel.
The elders warned that the continued friction between the Executive and the House of Assembly was discouraging potential investors from the state.
They emphasised that Rivers State required “synergy” rather than “political instability” to move forward, urging lawmakers to focus on their four-year mandate for the benefit of the people.
They likened the fading impeachment threat to a storm losing strength as it passed, and called for a return to the principle of separation of powers, with each arm of government respecting its constitutional boundaries.
The duo also praised the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for setting up a committee of elders to mediate the crisis and urged the feuding parties to heed the elders’ counsel in the interest of peace and progress.
TPCN reported that despite the calls for restraint, the legal battle remained unresolved, as the impeachment proceedings were subject to ongoing litigation at the Court of Appeal, leaving the state’s political future delicately poised.
