More members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have joined calls to halt the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
At the same time, traditional rulers in the state have formed a committee to mediate the political crisis, while the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly intervened.
On Wednesday, two lawmakers – Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency 1) and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II) – appealed to colleagues to conditionally suspend the impeachment proceedings. They acknowledged that the governor and his deputy might have breached the constitution but emphasized the importance of heeding calls from respected leaders for a political solution.
Their appeal followed similar calls from Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency) and Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), who urged the Assembly to temper justice with mercy. However, all four lawmakers remain signatories to the impeachment notices submitted by 26 members.
The lawmakers’ call for a pause in the impeachment is conditional, stressing that the governor must continue to respect the Constitution in his administration of the state.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) earlier set up a mediation committee chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), to engage both sides. Sources indicate that Governor Fubara has shown a willingness to reconcile, reaching out to the Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and directing his supporters to refrain from public comments against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to reduce tensions.
Fubara and Odu were served with impeachment notices last week over allegations of gross misconduct, with seven days given to respond. An APC National Working Committee (NWC) member said the party had stepped in to prevent the crisis from undermining its governors’ forum, emphasizing the leadership’s role in reconciling the governor and lawmakers.
The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers inaugurated a nine-member Reconciliation Committee to persuade lawmakers to withdraw the impeachment notices. The committee, chaired by His Majesty Dr. Suanu Baridam and co-chaired by His Majesty Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi, includes Eze Uchechukwu Isaiah-Elikwu, Eze Leslie Eke, Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Dr. Felix Otuwarikpo, Eze Onyekachi Amaonwu, King Agolia Aboko, and Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo, with Darlington Owiriwa serving as secretary.
Baridam urged supporters, social media users, and the public to moderate their comments and avoid actions that could disrupt peace in the state.
At a news conference in Port Harcourt, Nwakoh and Amadi thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leader, and Nyesom Wike for their interventions. They traced the crisis to constitutional violations by Fubara and Odu and the governor’s failure to honor prior agreements supervised by the President.
The duo appealed to colleagues to consider a political solution if the governor demonstrates a commitment to uphold the Constitution and previous agreements. They emphasized that their support for mediation does not reflect weakness but a willingness to seek reconciliation.
They stated, “We are willing to explore a political solution rather than pursue outright removal, provided assurances come from the governor and deputy governor that they will govern in accordance with the Constitution and honor all prior agreements. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the people of Rivers for their encouragement and support.”
