2 Rivers lawmakers withdraw from Fubara’s impeachment

Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, barely 24 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, concluded his thank-you tour of 22 of the state’s 23 local government areas and returned to Abuja.

The lawmakers, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo (PDP), representing Omuma Constituency, and Hon. Peter Abbey (APC), representing Degema Constituency, were among the 27 legislators loyal to Wike who signed the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

In what appears to signal early cracks within the pro-Wike bloc in the Assembly, the two lawmakers publicly urged their colleagues to withdraw the impeachment notice and allow Governor Fubara another opportunity to address alleged infractions, in the interest of peace, unity and democratic stability in Rivers State.

Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House who signed the notice as number 25, and Abbey, who signed as number 15, also called on the governor to embrace peace, uphold the constitution and respect the principle of separation of powers.

Addressing journalists on Monday, the lawmakers appealed for restraint and dialogue amid the impeachment process, disclosing that respected elders and political leaders within and outside the state had intervened and appealed for a peaceful resolution.

Nwankwo, who had moved the motion for the first impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara and his deputy on October 30, 2023, said his current position was guided by a commitment to peace and good governance.

“We are appealing to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and explore ways of resolving this matter outside impeachment proceedings,” he said. “We have listened to pleas from elders and leaders calling for leniency, and we believe this matter can still be resolved amicably.”

Abbey also acknowledged that the governor may have infringed certain constitutional provisions but urged lawmakers to exercise restraint.

Daily Trust gathered that Nwankwo may rally other PDP lawmakers to align with the four legislators already backing the governor, potentially altering the balance of power in the House.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Assembly leadership were unsuccessful as calls and messages to the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi Alabo George, were not returned. The Assembly had, however, insisted on Sunday that no court order would stop the impeachment process.

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