Fubara’s Impeachment Faces Setback as Two Lawmakers Ditch ‘Wike-loyalty’ Camp, More May Follow

Indications have emerged that the impeachment plot against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu may have encountered some setbacks.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that two lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn their signatures from the impeachment notice and are now calling for a political solution to the crisis in the state.

The development comes a few days after reports indicated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have intervened in the renewed feud between the governor and Wike. Fubara, who recently traveled out of the country, is rumoured to have met President Tinubu in France ahead of a supposed meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Amidst this, the governor, who returned from his overseas trip on Sunday, has 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 last week Thursday over alleged misconduct.

According to a Punch report, although the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, stated that he would ensure the impeachment letter was delivered to the governor, a source in the Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.

The source, who craved anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said, “I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not reviewed any notice from the Assembly.

“Don’t forget that the governor returned from his trip overseas on Sunday and managed to attend the church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“He has not rested and he needs to inspect several ongoing projects scattered all over. So for now, I know he hasn’t received any letter. I have not seen the governor myself. The man is busy working for the good of the state as a practical man he is.”

The newspaper reports that the two of the pro-Wike lawmakers have backed out of the impeachment plot, urging their colleagues to suspend the move against Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The lawmakers made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, calling for an alternative resolution to the political crisis.

The Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, called on the Assembly to exercise restraint and explore options outside the impeachment process.

“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how we can resolve this matter apart from impeachment proceedings,” he said.

Nwankwo said the intervention was prompted by appeals from elders and leaders within and outside the state, urging the lawmakers to show leniency.

“That is why we are here this morning to appeal to the conscience of our fellow colleagues. Having listened to so many pleas, calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, begging for leniency.

“We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably, even though the governor and deputy governor have infringed on the constitution, but we are appealing to them to reconsider our stand,” he added.

Also speaking, the member representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing the need for a humane approach to the situation.

“Fubara has infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings, and we, as members of the 10th assembly, want to plead with our colleagues to please reconsider,” Abbey said.

He added that the governor also has a responsibility to help de-escalate the tension by avoiding further constitutional violations.

“The governor, too, has a role to play; he must ensure he does not infringe further on the constitution. That will bring an amicable settlement to the whole thing,” he said.