Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had earlier withdrawn their support for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reversed their decision, declaring renewed backing for the removal process.
The lawmakers — Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency), Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), Deputy Minority Leader Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II) — made their position known during a press briefing on Friday.
Recall that the four legislators had, between Monday and Wednesday, announced their withdrawal from the impeachment proceedings and appealed to their colleagues to halt the process in the interest of peace and dialogue.
However, speaking at the press conference, the lawmakers said Governor Fubara had not shown any commitment or taken steps that would justify their continued withdrawal from the impeachment move.
Their reversal comes as the Rivers State House of Assembly reaffirmed its resolve to proceed with the impeachment of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, describing it as the only viable solution to the lingering political crisis in the state.
Addressing journalists, the lawmakers insisted that the impeachment process was constitutional and in line with their legislative duties, dismissing criticisms and allegations of illegality surrounding the exercise.
They further argued that the removal of the governor and his deputy would help avert a breakdown of law and order in Rivers State, which has been engulfed in a prolonged political standoff between the executive and the legislature.
The briefing followed the Assembly’s failure to reconvene plenary on Thursday, one week after adjourning its last sitting. The House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had at its previous sitting formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.
Among the allegations cited were the demolition of the Assembly complex and the expenditure of public funds without legislative approval.
While the impeachment move initially faced resistance following the withdrawal of the four lawmakers, their latest decision to rejoin the process has strengthened the Assembly’s position as it presses ahead with the impeachment proceedings.