Rivers Assembly threaten to commence impeachment proceedings against Gov. Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of dishonesty and threatened to resume impeachment proceedings against him if he continues to violate the constitution.

Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the House, said this on Saturday during a news briefing in Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital.

Amaewhule, who was joined by 26 Assembly members, read a statement released following the briefing.

In their statement, the Law makers accused the governor of reneging on the agreement he signed during the Presidential Peace Accord made between him and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Nwike

They explained that they withdrew their impeachment notice against Governor Fubara out of respect for President Tinubu with the hope that the governor will have a change of heart but said they might be forced to go on with the impeachment proceedings because of what they described as constitutional breaches by the Governor.

The Assembly members pointed out that the sponsored attacks on the House have failed woefully and enemies of the people and those who cannot withstand the principles of the rule of law as well as checks and balances in the country’s nascent democracy, in their frustration, started with the burning and later demolition of the Hallowed Chamber.

They claimed they survived the attacks aimed at not allowing them exercise the independence granted them by the constitution noting that the new strategy of the governor was using lobbyists, attack dogs and the mainstream and social media to bring the House to disrepute.

The Assembly members explained further that latest of the new groups recruited against the 10th Assembly is the “Former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council” who in a press conference it held on the 26th of March 2024 and signed by Dr. Abiye Sekibo, inferred that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional Assembly.
“Others in this group are the likes of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and Prince Uche Secondus. Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, Sir Celestine Omehia just to mention but a few were among these desperate politicians now professing their new support for Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor.

“On the other hand, they derided the 10th Assembly who they are unhappy with for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) which incidentally is the President’s Political Party.

“Worse still, they lied against and attacked the FCT Minister who worked tirelessly for the victory of the President and the Governor in Rivers State.

“They said in their statement that they now support the Renewed Hope Agenda and we are not against it. However, can they be trusted going by their past actions? Is it not a ploy to deceive the President, gain rewards and milestones as usual and later fight back after discrediting their old benefactor; the FCT Minister.

They reminded the Governor that his notice of impeachment was quickly withdrawn by members of the House in fulfilment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a change of heart from him but regretted that the reverse is now the case.

” The state Governor has been performing outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution. To this day, Rivers State remains the only State without an Appropriation Law and the Governor recklessly abandons laws of the State, doing things outside the constitutional proceedings.

” These hawks in Rivers State must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort.

“So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.

The Assembly members while calling on Mr. President to ignore those hawks because they do not mean well for the country, assured the good people of Rivers State of their commitment to stand up for them and urge them to remain prayerful against tyranny and dictatorship in the State because they believe that as agents of positive change, things can be better in the state if the rule of law prevails and there is mutual respect for and from all arms of government and institutions.