The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum has appealed to the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to halt all impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara to allow calm and stability return to the state.
This follows the action of the 27 lawmakers, who constitute the majority in the Assembly, serving an impeachment notice on Thursday on the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office. The legislators also gave the governor a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the accusations.
Reacting in a statement, the elders’ forum criticised the lawmakers’ decision, describing the grounds for the impeachment move as unconstitutional and lacking merit.
The statement, released in Port Harcourt on Friday night, was signed by the forum’s acting chairman, Dr Gabriel Toby.
Toby, a former deputy governor of Rivers State, said it was troubling that the political tension had resurfaced so soon after the state began recovering from six months of emergency rule that disrupted democratic governance.
The forum condemned the impeachment notice, arguing that it was driven by selfish interests rather than the welfare of the state, and vowed not to remain silent over actions that could threaten peace, stability and the future of Rivers State.
The statement partly read, “The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum expresses deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent impeachment notice issued against Governor Sir Sim Fubara and his deputy Prof. Ngozi Ordu by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process, not a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles. The reasons so far advanced in support of this action are disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight.
“They appear driven by narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance.
“The Forum reminds the Rivers State House of Assembly that the Governor’s mandate was freely given by the people of Rivers State and can only be questioned in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and on the basis of clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.
“We warn that the current course of action risks deepening political divisions, eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilising an already fragile polity.
“Rivers State has not fully recovered from the political, social, and institutional disruptions of the recent period of emergency rule.
“Our people continue to bear the consequences of that episode, and this development, so early in the year, risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed.”
The forum further urged the lawmakers to reconsider their actions, saying, “Accordingly, we call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately retrace its steps and place the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all partisan or personal considerations.
“The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum remains firmly committed to peace, unity, justice and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. We will not be silent in the face of any action that threatens the stability, dignity, and future of our state.”