Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he is yet to receive any formal notice of impeachment from the State House of Assembly, three days after impeachment proceedings were reportedly initiated against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment move was launched last Thursday by 27 lawmakers of the Assembly, most of whom are said to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over alleged acts of misconduct.
Although Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had earlier assured that the impeachment notice would be delivered to the governor, a source at Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no such communication had been received.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said neither Governor Fubara nor his deputy had reviewed any impeachment letter from the Assembly.
“The governor returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and even attended church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Since then, he has been busy inspecting ongoing projects across the state. As of now, no impeachment notice has been served,” the source said.
Amid the political tension, cracks have begun to emerge within the pro-impeachment camp, as two lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from the process and appealed for restraint.
The Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside Peter Abbey of Degema State Constituency, called on their colleagues to suspend the impeachment proceedings and explore alternative means of resolving the crisis.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Nwankwo said the appeal followed interventions from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, urging lawmakers to temper justice with mercy.
“We are appealing to the conscience of our colleagues to reconsider this step and seek an amicable resolution outside impeachment,” he said, noting that dialogue remained a better option for peace and stability.
Abbey also urged caution, stressing that while constitutional issues may exist, a humane and reconciliatory approach was necessary to de-escalate tensions. He added that the governor also has a responsibility to avoid further actions that could aggravate the crisis.
The political atmosphere has remained charged following the conclusion of Wike’s ‘thank you tour’ of local government areas in the state. Notably, the FCT minister did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Governor Fubara’s home council, a development some political observers described as deliberate.
An APC chieftain from the area, who spoke anonymously, said Wike’s decision to avoid Opobo was informed by the prevailing political tension, adding that turnout during his visit to neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area was also low.
Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has stepped in to prevent further escalation by constituting a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate in the Rivers crisis.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), with former Senator Obende Domingo as vice chairman. Other members include Chief Essien Nduese, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, Chief Mike Ejiofor, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN), and Prince Godwin Okotie.
PANDEF described the impeachment proceedings as disturbing and called on all parties to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and compromise in the interest of peace, good governance, and development in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
