The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has condemned attempts to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara barely six months into his term, calling the move “unacceptable” and urging a peaceful resolution to the ongoing political strife in the oil-rich state.
In a communique released after an emergency meeting on Sunday, the Forum lamented the recent developments in Rivers State politics, particularly expressing dissatisfaction with the impeachment attempt on Governor Fubara.
The Forum decried the reported attack on Governor Fubara by police operatives, the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers, and other acts of lawlessness that threaten peace and security in the state.
The communique read in part, “The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in office without explaining to the good people of the State, the reasons and infractions of law are unacceptable.
“The Forum reviewed the embarrassing and dangerous ongoing happenings in Rivers State and by extension, Nigeria, viz: attempt to impeach Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers, attack on the life of the Executive Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara allegedly by some security agents on Monday 30th October 2023 and other acts of impunity and lawlessness which portend great dangers to the peace and security of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.”
Former Governor Rufus Ada-George and His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe were among those who signed the communique.
The Forum also urged swift action in rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly Complex to ensure lawmakers can resume their legislative duties at the earliest.
Efforts to mediate between Governor Fubara and Chief Nyesom Wike have reportedly failed as neither party responded to invitations from the Forum seeking dialogue.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, the Forum appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the unrest in the oil-rich state.
Moreover, the Forum rejected claims circulating on social media regarding the procurement of legal instruments outside Rivers State to instigate a crisis, endangering lives and property.
The statement by the leaders also addressed an alleged court ruling anticipated to prevent the declaration of seats as vacant, allowing for the purported illegal impeachment of Governor Fubara.
“An alleged already written/ premeditated court ruling by one Justice Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court 8 Abuja on an ex parte application secretly filled in the night by pro-Wike former lawmakers which the judge wants to deliver tomorrow been Monday where he wants to stop the declaration of their seat vacant (an action that has been done) and also give them the legitimacy to move in with DSS and police to start the illegal impeachment of Gov. Fubara,” the communique further said.
Recent political shifts saw 27 members of the Rivers State Assembly defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the PDP maintains that the defected lawmakers’ seats are now vacant.
Governor Fubara proceeded with presenting the 2024 budget to other house members despite the defections, conducting the ceremony at the Government House in Port Harcourt before signing it into law.