Rivers Assembly Split as Lawmakers Urge Halt to Fubara Impeachment Move

A visible crack has emerged within the Rivers State House of Assembly as two lawmakers appealed to their colleagues to suspend impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

In a surprising development, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, who represents Omuma State Constituency, addressed a press conference on Monday in Port Harcourt, urging fellow legislators to “temper justice with mercy” and consider options other than removing the governor from office.

“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,” Nwankwo said.

“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.”

Hon. Peter Abbey, representing Degema State Constituency, also aligned with the call, describing the unfolding situation as one that demands compassion.

“He [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.

Abbey added that the governor equally has a role to play in calming tensions by avoiding further constitutional violations, noting that such steps could open the door to an amicable resolution.

However, the position of the two lawmakers contrasts sharply with that of the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Alabo Enemi George, who maintained that the impeachment process remains firmly on track.

Responding to questions in an interview on whether the Assembly could retreat from the impeachment threat, George said nothing would halt the process, adding that both the governor and his deputy had already been served.

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