Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, says he is yet to receive any formal notice of impeachment from the State House of Assembly three days after 27 lawmakers commenced proceedings against him and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Recall that the majority members of the Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, last Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings over alleged misconduct.
Although the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had said he would ensure that the impeachment letter was delivered to the governor, a source in Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.
The source, who craved anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said, “I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not reviewed any notice from the Assembly.
“Don’t forget that the governor returned from his trip overseas on Sunday and managed to attend the church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
“He has not rested and he needs to inspect several ongoing projects scattered all over. So for now, I know he hasn’t received any letter. I have not seen the governor myself. The man is busy working for the good of the state as a practical man he is.”
Meanwhile, two of the pro-Wike lawmakers have backed out of the impeachment plot, urging their colleagues to suspend the move against Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The lawmakers made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, calling for an alternative resolution to the political crisis.
The Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, called on the Assembly to exercise restraint and explore options outside the impeachment process.
“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how we can resolve this matter apart from impeachment proceedings,” he said.
Nwankwo said the intervention was prompted by appeals from elders and leaders within and outside the state, urging the lawmakers to show leniency.
“That is why we are here this morning to appeal to the conscience of our fellow colleagues. Having listened to so many pleas, calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, begging for leniency.
“We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably, even though the governor and deputy governor have infringed on the constitution, but we are appealing to them to reconsider our stand,” he added.
