Politics
Rivers Impeachment Crisis: Two Lawmakers Beg Colleagues to Halt Proceedings, Urge Fubara To Retrace Steps, Obey Constitution
We have been inundated with calls from some of our leaders and Rivers people begging that we seek a political solution to this problem created by the Governor and the Deputy Governor
Port Harcourt, Rivers State- Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have publicly appealed to their colleagues to suspend the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, calling instead for a political solution to the standoff.
The lawmakers, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, and Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, representing Obio/Akpor State Constituency 2, made the appeal during a press briefing, stressing that while constitutional breaches allegedly occurred, the matter could still be resolved through dialogue and adherence to agreements previously reached under the supervision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking cautiously but firmly, Nwakoh made it clear that they were not speaking on behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly as an institution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we speak for ourselves and not for the House, as we do not have the leave to speak for the Rivers State House of Assembly at this juncture,” Nwakoh said.
Both legislators disclosed that they were among those who signed the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, insisting that the impeachment process did not arise without cause.
“To begin with, we are part of the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and Deputy Governor because they truly infringed severally on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended,” she said.
She further accused the governor of abandoning key agreements previously reached as part of efforts to resolve the political impasse in the state.
“Worse still, the Governor has seriously abandoned the agreements entered into in the past with the supervision of Mr. President in a bid to finding a lasting solution to the constitutional infractions. This casts serious doubt on why any person should trust him,” Nwakoh added.
Despite these strong accusations, the lawmaker said she had been overwhelmed by appeals from political leaders and concerned citizens across Rivers State, urging them to explore a political resolution rather than pushing the impeachment process to its logical conclusion.
“However, we have been inundated with calls from some of our leaders and Rivers people begging that we seek a 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,” she said.
The lawmaker subsequently appealed to other members of the House to embrace dialogue and reconciliation.
“We call on our members to also consider this approach. We do not say this as a sign of weakness, but because we have a forgiving heart, and as mothers, it is our hope and expectation that assurances will come from the Governor and the Deputy Governor that they would retrace their steps and govern in line with the Constitution and keep all agreements entered with the supervision of Mr. President.”
The lawmaker also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom they described as the political leader of Rivers State, as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the people of the state for their support and encouragement.
“Finally, we thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the political leader of Rivers State, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, and the good people of Rivers State for their encouragement and support. God bless you all,” she added.
The statement was jointly signed by Hon. Mrs. Barile Nwakoh, Deputy Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Hon. Mrs. Emilia Lucky Amadi.
In her separate remarks, Hon. Emilia Amadi openly declared her political allegiance and disclosed that she had informed the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, before participating in the press briefing.
“I align myself with all that my colleague, Honorable Barile Nwakoh, the Deputy Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly, has said,” Amadi stated. “I want you to know that I represent the FCT Minister, His Excellency Chief Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike. He is my constituent.”
She added that Wike did not attempt to influence her position.
“I informed him before coming for this press briefing. I told him of it, but he said to me that I should do whatever my conscience tells me to do,” she said.
Amadi said her message was directed at the conscience of the governor and his deputy.
“I therefore speak to the conscience of the Governor of Rivers State and her deputy to redress their steps and govern 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 added.
The intervention by the two lawmakers comes at a critical moment, as tensions remain high in Rivers State over the power struggle between the executive and the legislature, with the impeachment threat deepening political uncertainty in the oil-rich state.
