Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and instead pursue alternative means of resolving the political crisis in the state.
The appeal was made on Monday in Port Harcourt during a press briefing by the Minority Leader of the House and lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside the member representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey.
Nwankwo urged lawmakers to exercise restraint and consider dialogue as a more constructive option than impeachment.
“We are appealing to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and explore ways of resolving this matter outside the impeachment process,” he said.
He explained that the intervention followed persistent appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, who had called on the assembly to show leniency in handling the matter.
According to him, while there are allegations that the governor and his deputy may have breached constitutional provisions, lawmakers should reconsider their approach in the interest of peace and stability.
“We are begging our colleagues to reconsider their position and find an amicable solution, even though there are claims of constitutional infractions,” Nwankwo added.
Echoing the call, Abbey said lawmakers should adopt a humane approach, stressing that political tensions should be de-escalated rather than escalated.
“Governor Fubara may have infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings.”
“We are pleading with our colleagues to reconsider the impeachment process,” he said.
Abbey also noted that the governor has a role to play in easing tensions by avoiding actions that could further violate constitutional provisions.
“The governor must also ensure that there are no further infringements on the constitution. That is key to achieving an amicable resolution,” he stated.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had last Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The process followed the presentation of seven allegations of gross misconduct by the Leader of the House, Major Jack, based on a notice reportedly signed by 26 lawmakers.
The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditures, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of state legislatures.
The impeachment move came shortly after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor of breaching a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
