By Obinna Uballa
The impeachment plot against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara suffered a setback on Monday as two lawmakers previously aligned with the move publicly withdrew their support and called on their colleagues to halt the proceedings.
Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside Hon. Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency, urged the Assembly to suspend the impeachment process and seek alternative means of resolving the political crisis rocking the state.
The lawmakers, who were among key figures in the first impeachment attempt against Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, made their position known during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how this matter can be resolved apart from impeachment proceedings,” Nwankwo said.
He explained that their intervention followed sustained appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, urging restraint.
“Having listened to so many pleas from our elders and leaders, we are begging our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably,” he added, even as he acknowledged alleged constitutional infractions by the governor and his deputy.
Abbey echoed the call, stressing the need for a humane and cautious approach.
“Yes, the governor may have infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings. We plead with our colleagues to reconsider,” he said, adding that Fubara must also take steps to avoid further constitutional breaches to de-escalate tensions.
The development came amid uncertainty over the impeachment process itself, as Governor Fubara is yet to receive any formal notice from the House three days after 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the commencement of impeachment proceedings.
A source at Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been served on the governor or his deputy.
“I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not received or reviewed any notice from the Assembly,” the source said, noting that Fubara only returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and has since been engaged with official duties, including project inspections across the state.
The political tension intensified further following the conclusion of Wike’s ‘thank you tour’ of Rivers local government areas. The former governor reportedly skipped Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Fubara’s home LGA, before departing for Abuja on Sunday.
An APC chieftain from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the omission was deliberate, citing hostility toward the FCT minister in the area.
“He knows what is good for him,” the chieftain said, adding that turnout was also low when Wike visited neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area.
Amid the deepening crisis, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven-man reconciliation committee to mediate. 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 former Housing Minister, Chief Essien Nduese; retired federal permanent secretary, Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; former DSS Director, Chief Mike Ejiofor; former Cross River State Attorney-General, Mrs Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN); and PANDEF Deputy National Secretary, Prince Godwin Okotie.
In a joint statement, PANDEF leaders described the situation in Rivers State as disturbing and warned against further escalation, urging all parties to embrace dialogue, tolerance and compromise.
The forum said it was regrettable that the crisis had degenerated into impeachment proceedings, given the strategic importance of Rivers State to the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s economic stability, while commending President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders for efforts aimed at restoring peace.
