The Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have reaffirmed their resolve to proceed with the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, insisting that the process remains the only viable way to resolve the lingering political crisis in the state.
The legislators made this position known on Friday while addressing journalists, a day after the Assembly failed to reconvene as earlier scheduled. Despite the missed sitting, the lawmakers maintained that the impeachment process was still firmly on course.
Speaking in turns during the briefing, the lawmakers stressed that the impeachment proceedings were constitutional and carried out in line with their legislative duties. They dismissed criticisms trailing the process, insisting that the House was acting within the bounds of the law to address what they described as a deep political impasse in Rivers State.
The briefing followed Thursday’s failure of the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to resume plenary one week after adjourning its last sitting. At that previous sitting, the House had formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
Among the allegations levelled against the governor were the demolition of the Assembly complex and the expenditure of public funds without the approval of the legislature.
However, the impeachment move has not been without controversy. Between Monday and Wednesday, four lawmakers reportedly withdrew their support for the process, citing the need for dialogue and an amicable resolution to the political crisis rocking the state.
The Assembly’s failure to reconvene as expected on Thursday further fuelled speculation about possible internal divisions among lawmakers.
Nonetheless, the legislators who addressed the press on Friday insisted that the impeachment proceedings remained active and would continue as planned.
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