Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is yet to receive any formal notice of impeachment from the State House of Assembly, three days after 27 lawmakers commenced impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Recall that the majority members of the Assembly, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, last Thursday initiated the impeachment process over allegations of gross misconduct.
Although the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had said the impeachment notice would be delivered to the governor, a source at Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity with Punch, said the governor and his deputy had yet to sight any impeachment notice from the Assembly.
“I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not reviewed any notice from the Assembly,” the source said.
He added that Governor Fubara only returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and immediately attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service.
“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,” the source added.
Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the pro-Wike camp, as two lawmakers reportedly withdrew support for the impeachment effort and urged their colleagues to suspend the process.
The lawmakers made the appeal during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, urging the Assembly to explore alternative means of resolving the political crisis.
The Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, called for restraint.
“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,” Nwankwo said.
He explained that the appeal followed interventions from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State.
“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,” he added.
Also speaking, the member representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing the need for a humane approach.
“Fubara has infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings, and we, as members of the 10th Assembly, want to plead with our colleagues to please reconsider,” Abbey said.
He added that the governor also had a role to play in de-escalating the situation.
“The governor, too, has a role to play; he must ensure he does not infringe further on the constitution. That will bring an amicable settlement to the whole thing,” he stated.
The latest development comes a day after Wike concluded his ‘thank you’ tour of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State on Sunday and subsequently departed Port Harcourt for Abuja aboard a private jet.