Fatimah Otunsanya
Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have urged their colleagues to suspend the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and seek an alternative resolution to the political crisis.
The lawmakers made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, called on the assembly to exercise restraint and explore options outside the impeachment process.
“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to see how we can resolve this matter apart from impeachment proceedings,” he said.
Nwankwo said the intervention was prompted by appeals from elders and leaders within and outside the state, urging the lawmakers to show leniency.
“That is why we are here this morning to appeal to the conscience of our fellow colleagues. Having listened to so many pleas, calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, begging for leniency.
“We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably, even though the governor and deputy governor have infringed on the constitution, but we are appealing to them to reconsider our stand,” he added.
Also speaking, the member representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution, stressing the need for a humane approach to the situation.
Fubara has infringed on parts of the constitution, but we are human beings, and we, as members of the 10th assembly, want to plead with our colleagues to please reconsider,” Abbey said.
He added that the governor also has a responsibility to help de-escalate the tension by avoiding further constitutional violations.
“The governor, too, has a role to play; he must ensure he does not infringe further on the constitution. That will bring an amicable settlement to the whole thing,” he said.
NigeriaTodayTimes had earlier reported that the state assembly last Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy.
The process was initiated after the Leader of the Assembly, Major Jack, read seven allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, contained in a notice signed by 26 members of the House.
The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature.