In a surprising turn of events, two key lawmakers in Rivers State have withdrawn from the ongoing impeachment initiative against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. Sylvanus Nwankwo, the Minority Leader representing Omuma State Constituency, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly, publicly announced their reversal during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. The lawmakers revealed that their decision to step back from the impeachment proceedings came after appeals from respected elders and influential leaders within the state. They urged their colleagues to exercise caution and reconsider the steps taken against the governor and his deputy. “Rivers State issued a notice of impeachment on Governor Fubara and his Deputy. We appeal to our fellow colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how we can solve this matter without resorting to impeachment,” the duo stated. Nwankwo and Abbey emphasized the need for reconciliation and peaceful resolution, stressing that the governor and his deputy may have infringed upon constitutional provisions, but the situation could still be resolved amicably. “Having listened to so many calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, we are urging our colleagues to reconsider our steps and explore ways to resolve this matter without proceeding with impeachment,” they added. LMSINT MEDIA confirms that the impeachment notice against Governor Fubara and his deputy was formally served last Thursday, following allegations of gross misconduct. This sudden U-turn by the lawmakers has created a new dimension to the political landscape in Rivers State, as stakeholders and residents now await further developments. Political analysts have noted that the involvement of state elders in such high-stake matters demonstrates the influence of traditional structures in governance, emphasizing dialogue and mediation over legal confrontation. This development could reshape the ongoing political discussions in Rivers State, highlighting the importance of compromise in resolving governmental disputes. For ongoing updates on Rivers State politics and related governance issues, you can also check our detailed coverage on Rivers State Assembly news.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has reiterated that political negotiations may no longer be capable of stopping the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This position was made public by the Assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, during a televised political discussion aired on Channels Television on Thursday and monitored by LMSINT MEDIA. According to George, attempts to frame the actions of the Rivers State House of Assembly as purely political undermine the integrity and independence of the legislative institution. He stressed that the lawmakers’ actions should not be dismissed as political drama but viewed through the lens of constitutional responsibility. The lawmaker maintained that the impeachment move is not driven by political rivalry but by repeated alleged violations of financial and constitutional procedures by the governor. He accused Governor Fubara of persistently handling public funds in a manner inconsistent with legal provisions, likening it to the use of government resources as personal assets. George explained that several political interventions had already been explored in the past, yet the same issues continued to resurface. He questioned the relevance of pursuing further political settlements when previous efforts failed to yield lasting compliance with the law. He emphasized that even political engagement must operate strictly within constitutional boundaries. According to him, once an elected official repeatedly breaches legal frameworks, such actions inevitably attract consequences that cannot be avoided through political sympathy or negotiation. The Assembly spokesperson further noted that the matter before the lawmakers is fundamentally legal rather than political. He insisted that the constitution remains supreme and that no individual, regardless of office, is above its provisions. George also referenced the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in earlier peace efforts, stating that the president had personally invested time and effort in bringing together relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis. He argued that repeated violations after such interventions could be perceived as disregard for both the peace process and the authority of those who facilitated it. According to the lawmaker, expecting continued presidential intervention after alleged repeated breaches of agreements and constitutional norms is unrealistic. He concluded that respect for the rule of law must take precedence over political considerations, especially when governance and public trust are at stake.
