Tension and apprehension gripped Rivers State on Monday following the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu by the state House of Assembly.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, served Fubara and Prof Odu with a notice of alleged gross misconduct, signalling an imminent impeachment process.
The notice listing the alleged misconduct sent to the Speaker was a sequel to a letter dated March 14, 2025, signed by 26 members of the Assembly.
The Speaker, Amaewhule, sent the notice in two separate letters he signed on Monday, March 17, 2025 and addressed to the governor and his deputy.
The development has escalated the political tension in the state, as some Ijaw groups had threatened a crisis in the region if Fubara is impeached.
Recently, the Ijaw National Congress, the Ijaw Youth Council and other groups expressed strong opposition to the potential impeachment of Fubara, who is of Ijaw descent.
They warned that such actions could lead to unrest, emphasising their commitment to defending the governor’s mandate and cautioning that his removal might destabilise the region and affect oil production.
Sensing the potential danger, President Bola Tinubu, last week, invited leaders of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, led by its Board of Trustees co-chairmen, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah and the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Also in the delegation was the National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali.
Addressing the delegation, Tinubu said, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.
“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”
He asked the PANDEF leaders to intervene and counsel Fubara to pursue the path of peace and stability.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court.
“Help – privately and openly- intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” the President said.
Following the meeting, the PANDEF leaders and reconciliation committee met with Fubara but efforts to meet with Wike failed.
Efforts by Fubara to present the budget last week, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment that gave legitimacy to the Amaewhule Assembly, were rebuffed by the lawmakers.
SOURCE: PUNCH
