Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have alleged that they uncovered a plot by certain individuals linked to the executive arm of the state government to obtain a court order preventing the legislature from performing its functions.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

This comes as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ended his tour of the 23 local government areas of the state.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi George, said the alleged plot involved securing an ex parte order from a Rivers State High Court operating outside Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Last Thursday, the lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, outlining multiple allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.

The allegations include extra-budgetary spending of over N800bn without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.

A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.

Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with the Constitution.

The development marks a renewed escalation of the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted by presidential interventions, before a state of emergency was declared by President Bola Tinubu last March.

However, the House said in Sunday’s statement to journalists that the alleged attempt to halt the impeachment proceedings was dead on arrival, as it amounted to an effort to subvert the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The lawmakers described the alleged plot as illegal, saying it violated Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution, as well as existing judicial decisions of the Court of Appeal.

George said that instead of running from pillar to post, the office holders served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct should respond accordingly.

He said, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts, especially those outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue ex parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.

“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which states that, ‘subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term of office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, governor or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant.’

“Also, Section 188(10) states that ‘no proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.’

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recent decisions of the Court of Appeal involving similar ex parte orders by Rivers State High Courts contrary to Section 272(3) of the Constitution. A word is enough for the wise.”

The Assembly called on those behind the alleged move to exercise restraint and refrain from actions inimical to the Constitution.

The lawmakers added, “Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the notices of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to them item by item, rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.

“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law, and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has returned to Port Harcourt after a recent trip abroad.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that the governor travelled to France to meet with the President over the impeachment move, though the reports were not confirmed by official state sources.

On Sunday, the governor attended a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.

Also in attendance were his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and other senior government officials.

The service marked the first public appearance of Governor Fubara and his deputy since fresh impeachment proceedings were initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly last Thursday.

The latest move by the lawmakers is the third impeachment attempt against the governor in less than three years.

Despite the renewed political tension in the state, Governor Fubara and members of his administration have remained silent on the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them by the Assembly.

Wike asserts grip

Following the development, accusations surfaced that Wike was the mastermind behind the impeachment move, recalling comments he made during his recent tour of local government areas in the state, where he described the governor as a “mistake” he planned to correct in 2027 — remarks later echoed by the Speaker.

“Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake; Rivers State has never had it this bad,” Amaewhule had said, also faulting the governor and his deputy for allegedly failing to submit the 2026 budget to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Wike said political power was earned through strength and strategic interests, insisting that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area remained a decisive force in Rivers State politics.

Wike spoke during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Sunday, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths from the council.

The minister concluded his tour of the 23 local government areas of the state with the Obio/Akpor visit to appreciate residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Addressing the gathering, Wike stressed that politics should not be driven by sentiment. He said, “There is no sentiment; there is no emotion. Politics is about interest — the interest of your people.

“Power is not dashed; we struggle for it. After all, if Donald Trump does not have power, would he go to Venezuela to pick a president? He would not. Because he has power, that is why he could go to Venezuela, whether it is wrong or right.

“So, for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor. Those commenting from the sidelines should ask themselves if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge a local government that produced 40 per cent of the votes. Let us see how that will work.

“We will use our strength to punish them. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement. Nobody has become a senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor making a decision.

“So, if you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and look for the votes, and we will punish you with the votes.”

The former Rivers governor dismissed calls for his removal from office, saying such decisions rest solely with the President.

“So, don’t bother about people who say, ‘Sack him.’ If my appointor believes that I can no longer offer anything, he has the right, not you. But I am very proud that the people of Obio/Akpor are proud, that Rivers people are proud, and we can tell Nigerians that we have not disappointed them as far as the FCT is concerned.

“I said it yesterday in Port Harcourt: if you’re not doing well, nobody will talk about you. But because we’re doing well, they will talk about us,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, praised Wike’s political career and influence, describing him as a major asset to the council, the state and the country.

Worlu also commended Wike’s performance across various public offices, noting his roles as council chairman, chief of staff, governor and minister.

He added, “You asked the PDP to account for the support Rivers State has given the party since 1999. Till now, nobody has answered.

“When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. When it comes to who should be the governor of Rivers State, we don’t know where to go, but we know where not to go.

“We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment or disloyalty.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, reaffirmed the legislature’s support for Wike and President Tinubu.

He said, “On behalf of the RSHA, we want to once again reassure you of our prayers and support as you continue to support Mr President. Your Excellency, we are proud of you.

“Don’t bother about your detractors. The real people of Nigeria know your worth. They know you are helping Mr President to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Presidency to intervene

Speculation over a fresh intervention by President Bola Tinubu in the Rivers political crisis deepened on Friday after the 26 lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.

Amid rising tension, sources close to the Presidency told The PUNCH that President Tinubu was planning to intervene and had invited both Wike and Fubara for a meeting.

On Sunday evening, Wike departed the Port Harcourt International Airport for Abuja, dispelling rumours of a planned trip to Dubai to meet the President for another intervention session.

He arrived at the airport at about 4:30 pm and proceeded to the VIP lounge in the company of friends and loyalists.

Efforts to reach Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, for confirmation of a meeting with the President were unsuccessful. However, a source close to the minister said Wike had returned to Abuja to receive President Tinubu, who is currently abroad, upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

“He returned to Abuja today. He has to receive the President when he arrives, as usual. Whether there will be a meeting — and specifically one on Rivers State — I cannot confirm at this time.

“Outside his official duties and meetings with the President as minister, I am not aware of any other meeting,” the source said.

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