JUST IN: Rivers elders, leaders react to fresh move to impeach Fubara

The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum have condemned fresh moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara by 27 members of the House of Assembly.

The Rivers State leaders and elders also condemned an alleged attack on Governor Fubara by police operatives.

The forum made their decision known in a communique after an emergency meeting held to reviewed the recent political situation in Rivers State.

All Facts Newspaper reports that former governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has been at loggerheads with his predecessor and political godson, Fubara.

The political tussle resulted in the decision of no fewer than 25 members of the State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.

The move was, however, thwarted after early morning fire destroyed parts of the Assembly.

The members, who later decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have began fresh moves to impeach Governor Fubara.

“The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in office without explaining to the good people of the State, the reasons and infractions of law are unacceptable,” the elders and leaders forum said.

“The Forum reviewed the embarrassing and dangerous ongoing happenings in Rivers State and by extension, Nigeria, viz: attempt to impeach Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers, attack on the life of the Executive Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara allegedly by some security agents on Monday 30th October 2023 and other acts of impunity and lawlessness which portend great dangers to the peace and security of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole,” the communique signed by a former Governor Rufus Ada-George and His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe amongst others read.

“The Forum reviewed the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Rivers State Government and urged the Government to expedite action on rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly Complex so that lawmakers will continue their legislative business in the permanent site within the shortest possible time.

“An alleged already written/ premeditated court ruling by one Justice Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court 8 Abuja on an exparte application secretly filled in the night by pro-Wike former lawmakers which the judge wants to deliver tomorrow been Monday where he wants to stop the declaration of their seat vacant (an action that has been done) and also give them the legitimacy to move in with DSS and police to start the illegal impeachment of Gov. Fubara,” the communiqué added.

The forum appealled to President Bola Tinubu to wade into the crisis in the oil-rich Rivers state.