2 more pro-Wike lawmakers withdraw from Fubara’s impeachment

Two additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, bringing to four the number of lawmakers who have pulled out of the process within the last 48 hours.

The latest lawmakers to announce their withdrawal are Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II.

Their decision followed the earlier withdrawal of the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Sylvanus Nwankwo, who represents Omuma Constituency, and Peter Abbey, the member for Degema Constituency.

Nwakoh and Amadi announced their withdrawal on Wednesday, urging their colleagues to suspend the impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy and allow room for dialogue.

With the latest development, four of the 26 lawmakers who initially signed the notice of impeachment against Governor Fubara and his deputy have now publicly withdrawn their support.

Daily Trust recalls that 26 members of the Assembly, said to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, January 8, issued a notice of impeachment against the governor and his deputy, citing what they described as “breaches of the constitution.”

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Nwakoh and Amadi said although they still believed that constitutional infractions had occurred, their change of position was influenced by the intervention of respected leaders and stakeholders within the state.

The lawmakers said they now favour a peaceful resolution of the political crisis rather than a prolonged impeachment process.

Sources in the Assembly told Daily Trust that as events unfold, all nine opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers and some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may declare support for Governor Fubara and align with the pro-Fubara bloc in the House to protect the administration.

The Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to resume plenary on today amid expectations of heightened political manoeuvring and behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Traditional rulers step in

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has constituted a nine-member committee to mediate in the ongoing political crisis in the state.

The committee is chaired by His Majesty, (Dr) Suanu T. Y. Baridam, with His Majesty, Eze Barr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi, serving as co-chairman.

Other members include His Majesty Eze Uchechukwu Isaiah-Elikwu, His Majesty Eze Leslie Eke, His Majesty Dr Samuel Amaechi, His Majesty Dr Felix Otuwarikpo, His Majesty Eze Barr. Onyekachi Amaonwu, HRH King Agolia Aboko and HRH Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo. Barrister Darlington Owiriwa will serve as secretary.

In a circular obtained by Daily Trust, the chairman of the council, His Majesty Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, the Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, urged supporters of all factions, social media users and the general public to exercise restraint in their comments to avoid escalating tensions.

He also called on residents to refrain from actions capable of breaching public peace in the state.

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