Members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly have reaffirmed their resolve to proceed with the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, insisting that the process remains the most viable constitutional option to resolve the lingering political impasse in the state.
The lawmakers made their position known on Friday, through a press release read by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Dumle Maol, during a press conference held at the Assembly Quarters along Aba/Port Harcourt Road.
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In the statement, the legislators declared that there was a collective agreement among them to pursue the impeachment process, including those members who had previously addressed the media on the issue.
“We have concluded by all of us including members who had the opportunity to address the media few days ago,” Maol said.
The lawmakers described the governor as “incorrigible” and maintained that the impeachment of both the governor and his deputy was unavoidable at this stage.
They appealed to leaders at all levels and the people of Rivers State to critically assess the situation and understand that impeachment was the appropriate constitutional step.
“The impeachment of the incorrigible governor and his Deputy—we therefore strongly appeal to all leaders at all levels and the good people of Rivers State to carefully consider the problem at hand and understand that the impeachment process is the best way to go at this point,” the release stated.
The legislators further called on the Speaker of the House to allow the constitutional process to proceed without obstruction, urging him to reconvene the House to enable members to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
“We are using this medium to call on Mr Speaker to allow the constitutional process to proceed unhindered,” they added.
The lawmakers also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, commending him for what they described as his efforts and concern for Rivers State in seeking a resolution to the political crisis.
“Finally, we thank our dear President, Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated so much love for Rivers State. He did his best for the resolution of this impasse but the governor and his Deputy are adamant,” the statement said.
They further thanked leaders, stakeholders and residents of the state for their prayers and support, assuring them of their commitment to defending both the people and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The press release, which was signed by all members of the 10th Assembly, concluded with a call for the urgent reconvening of the House to enable lawmakers to perform their constitutional duties.
“That is our collective resolve,” the statement emphasized.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist, the four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had earlier held separate press briefings appealing to their colleagues to forgive Governor Fubara and withdraw the impeachment proceedings have now reversed their stance.
The lawmakers, who recently concluded another joint press briefing, announced their support for the continuation of the impeachment process, aligning themselves with the broader position of the Assembly.
Similarly, lawmakers from the Ijaw ethnic blocs dismissed claims that the impeachment exercise was ethnically motivated, insisting that the process was purely constitutional.
They urged members of the public to desist from portraying the impeachment as an ethnic conflict, stressing that it had no ethnic coloration whatsoever but was strictly guided by constitutional provisions.
The WHISTLER learned that the House has reconvene and the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule is preceding the plenary session.