Rivers Group Warns Against Fubara's Impeachment

The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought has called on the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to halt the plot to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara to avoid more crises in the state.

The coalition said the recent actions of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, if not checked, might lead to an unimaginable crisis.

Recall that the Appeal Court had on July 4, ruled that Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers in his faction remained members of the state House of Assembly, voiding the earlier High Court order which restrained the lawmakers.

Following the judgment, Amaewhule, while presiding over plenary on Monday, gave Fubara a seven-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the House.

Reacting, Fubara, while receiving a solidarity visit, the leadership structure, critical stakeholders, opinion leaders, women and youths of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas, said Amaewhule and others were no longer members of the state Assembly.

He told his guests that he would not present the 2024 budget again, adding that he had already initiated the 2025 budget which would focus on healthcare, education and agriculture.

The Convener of the coalition, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, however, warned the Amaewhule-led Assembly on Friday against inviting anarchy to the state.

Chukumele who spoke at a press conference expressed worry that the political crisis in the state, rather than improving, is gaining more grounds for conflicts.

He said: “We call on Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues to jettison the idea of impeaching the governor of the state.

“We advise them that the impacts of the consequences of their threats should only be imagined. Let Amaewhule and his colleagues not ignite a fire that they can never have the capacity to contain. They are inviting anarchy.”

He called on Tinubu to prevail on Wike, whom the coalition alleged was contributing to the tension in the state.

He reiterated its support for the Fubara-led administration and urged the governor not to lose focus in the discharge of his constitutional mandate of delivering good governance for Rivers people.