Rivers Assembly Asks Chief Judge To Constitute Panel On Fubara, Rejects Ethnic Bias Claims

The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has formally called on the Chief Judge of Rivers State to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Friday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the state’s top executive officers.

Following the plenary, lawmakers addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, firmly rejecting claims that the impeachment process was motivated by ethnic considerations or political vendetta.

According to the Assembly, the impeachment move is strictly guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and anchored on the need to preserve legislative integrity and constitutional order.

The lawmakers explained that the process was initiated after what they described as repeated constitutional breaches by the executive arm of government. They insisted that the Assembly had explored all available avenues for dialogue and engagement before resorting to impeachment proceedings.

They accused Governor Fubara of actions that allegedly undermined the powers, authority, and independence of the Rivers State House of Assembly, stressing that no public office holder is above the law.

“The impeachment process is not an ethnic or partisan exercise,” the lawmakers stated, adding that attempts to portray it as such were deliberate efforts to mislead the public and discredit a lawful constitutional procedure.

They further argued that the composition of the Assembly itself invalidates claims of ethnic bias, noting that members come from diverse ethnic, political, and social backgrounds across the state.
Reaffirming their commitment to due process, the legislators declared that the impeachment would proceed strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

They warned that intimidation, misinformation, or public pressure would not deter them from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

The Assembly also appealed to residents of Rivers State to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to allow constitutional mechanisms to take their full course.

They assured the public that the actions of the House are aimed at safeguarding democracy, strengthening the rule of law, and protecting the institutional integrity of governance in Rivers State.