Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not received any official notification of impeachment from the State House of Assembly, three days after 27 lawmakers began impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment move was initiated last Thursday by a majority of Assembly members aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over allegations of misconduct.
Despite assurances by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, that the impeachment letter would be delivered to the governor, sources within Government House said as of Monday evening that no formal communication had reached the governor or his deputy.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, 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.”
Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the pro-Wike camp in the Assembly, as two lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment effort, calling on their colleagues to halt the process and seek an alternative solution to the political crisis.
The appeal was made on Monday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, where the lawmakers urged restraint and dialogue.
The Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, said the decision to address the media followed repeated appeals from leaders and elders within and outside Rivers State.
“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 added that the pleas from respected figures informed their intervention.
“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 lawmaker representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing that a humane approach was required.
“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 further noted that the governor also had a role to play in easing tensions.
“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.
The latest developments followed the conclusion of Wike’s ‘thank you tour’ of Rivers State local government areas on Sunday, after which he returned to Abuja via a private jet.
It was gathered that the former Rivers governor did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home council of Fubara, during the tour. No official explanation was offered for the omission.
However, an All Progressives Congress chieftain from the area, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, suggested that the decision was deliberate.
“My brother, if you are the one with the current political tension in the state created by Wike himself, will you have gone to Opobo?
“That will be putting your hand in a crocodile-infested water. Although nobody asked him not to come, nobody threatened him, but I think he advised himself.
“Give it to him, he knows what is good for him.”
The party chieftain also said turnout was poor when Wike visited nearby Bonny Local Government Area.
“In Bonny, when the Minister went there like we saw on TV, the place was empty. You know the history of Bonny and Opobo, so it was expected. But of course, he knows he wouldn’t have visited Opobo.”
Asked what would have happened if Wike had visited Opobo, he replied, “Nothing, but he will address himself. No true son or daughter of Opobo would have attended. So he knows.”
Wike had concluded the tour in his home local government area, Obio/Akpor, with a rally at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, on Sunday. The rally reportedly recorded the highest turnout, with traffic congestion extending along Aba Road and the Rumuola axis.
(PUNCH)
Post A Comment: