The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum has called on the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly to suspend all impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara in order for peace to reign.
Recall that the 27 lawmakers who make up the majority in the house had on Thursday served an impeachment notice on the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.
The lawmakers gave the governor seven days to respond to all the allegations levelled against him.
But the forum, in a statement, faulted the move by the lawmakers, saying the reasons advanced for their action are unconstitutional and lacking substance.
The statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday night was signed by the forum’s acting Chairman, Dr Gabriel Toby.
Tony, a former deputy governor of the state, expressed sadness that the renewed political feud that has culminated in the threat of impeachment came just a few months after the state was recovering from six months of emergency rule that halted democratic governance in the oil-rich state.
While condemning the move outright, the forum said the action of the lawmakers is self-serving rather than for the good of the state, saying it will not stay silent on a development that threatens the peace, stability and future of the state
The statement party reads, “The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum expresses deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent impeachment notice issued against Governor Sir Sim Fubara and his deputy Prof. Ngozi Ordu by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process, not a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles. The reasons so far advanced in support of this action are disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight.
“They appear driven by narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance.
“The Forum reminds the Rivers State House of Assembly that the Governor’s mandate was freely given by the people of Rivers State and can only be questioned in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and on the basis of clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.
“We warn that the current course of action risks deepening political divisions, eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilising an already fragile polity.
“Rivers State has not fully recovered from the political, social, and institutional disruptions of the recent period of emergency rule.
“Our people continue to bear the consequences of that episode, and this development, so early in the year, risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed.”
It continued, “Accordingly, we call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately retrace its steps and place the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all partisan or personal considerations.
“The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum remains firmly committed to peace, unity, justice and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. We will not be silent in the face of any action that threatens the stability, dignity, and future of our state.”
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