- Safiu Kehinde
Two other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn from the impeachment process against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof, Ngozi Odu.
This is coming days after the Assembly’s Minority leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma State Constituency), and another lawmaker, Peter Abbey (Degema State Constituency), stepped out of the impeachment plot against the governor as they called for Assembly’s reconsideration of the move.
NPO Reported that the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly had, last week, initiated the impeachment process against Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.
The notice of allegations was signed by 26 out of the 32 lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly.
The allegations signatories who are largely Pro-Wike lawmakers had at the Assembly’s plenary session called for the impeachment of Fubara with Amaewhule also vowing to ensure swift commencement of the process.
This had however stirred another political tension in the state which had recently survived six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on account of the political crisis fueled by Fubara and Wike, his predecessor.
With the impeachment plot also attracting mixed reactions and controversies both at the state and national level, the House Minority leader and his colleague withdrew from the plot.
Following her principal’s footstep, the Deputy Minority Leader of the Assembly, Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency 1), also announced her withdrawal from the impeachment move against Fubara.
Nwakoh, in a joint Press briefing held on Wednesday alongside another female lawmaker, Lady Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II) called for alternative political solution.
While dropping out of the impeachment move, the duo however maintained their stance on the allegation against Fubara and his deputy with the Deputy Minority Leader accusing him of abandoning the agreement he entered into with Wike and Tinubu.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we speak for ourselves and not for the House as we do not have the leaf to speak for the Rivers State House of Assembly at this junction.
“To begin with, we are part of the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and deputy governor because they truly infringed the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
“Worse still, the governor has seriously abandoned the agreement entered into in the past with the supervision of Mr. President in a bid to finding a lasting solution to the constitution infraction.
“This cast serious doubt on why any person should trust him.
“However, we have been inundated with calls from some of our leaders and Rivers’ people, begging that we seek political solution to this problem created by the governor and the deputy governor.
“On this call, we hereby state our willingness to look at a political solution rather than an outright removal of the duo. We call on our members to also consider this approach.
“We do not say this as a sign of weakness but because we have forgiven hearts and as mothers.
“It is our hope and expectation that assurances will come from the governor and the deputy governor that they will retrace their steps and govern in line with the constitution and keep to all agreement entered with the supervision of Mr. President.” Nwakoh said.
On her part, Amadi disclosed consulting Wike., who she claimed to be a member of her constituency, over her decision to withdraw from the impeachment plot against Fubara.
The lawmaker said the Minister gave her the go ahead to follow her conscience.
“I align myself with all that my colleague, Honourable Barile Nwakoh, the Deputy Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly.
“It will interest you to know that I represent the FCT Minister, His Excellency Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike. He is my constituent.
“And I want to let you know that before coming for this Press briefing, I informed him. I told him of it, and he said to me that I should do whatever my conscience tells me to do.
“In line with the constitution and keep all agreements entered with the supervision of Mr. President for the good and betterment of Rivers State and Nigeria.” She said.