Impeachment plot: PDP govs move to save Fubara

Barring any last-minute change, governors who are members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will on Tuesday hold an emergency meeting over the impeachment threat against Governor Similanayi Fubara of Rivers State. Daily Trust gathered that the meeting is expected to broker peace between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, his […]

Barring any last-minute change, governors who are members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will on Tuesday hold an emergency meeting over the impeachment threat against Governor Similanayi Fubara of Rivers State.

Daily Trust gathered that the meeting is expected to broker peace between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, his predecessor. 

A source close to one of the governors told Daily Trust that the PDP governors are not happy with the unfolding events in Rivers State and are poised to find a lasting solution to the crisis. 

He said, “The governors are really surprised at what is happening; they are not happy and want to discuss within themselves and find a solution to the problem. 

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“You know Rivers is a PDP state even though the FCT minister is working with President Tinubu; he is still a member of the PDP. I believe that is why they want to meet immediately.”

The cold war between Fubara and Wike took a new dimension on Sunday when yet-to-be identified arsonists invaded the state house of assembly located at the three arms zone of Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, and set ablaze the assembly’s hallowed chamber.

Recall that Wike was instrumental to the emergence of Fubara as governor of the oil-rich state on March 18, 2023.

The cause of their friction has not been made public, but sources close to the governor said the over-bearing influence of the former governor on Fubara had come to a nauseating level. 

Our reporter learnt that prior to the Sunday’s arsonists’ invasion of the assembly, the duo had been avoiding each other.

But the Sunday attack of the assembly was the climax of the cold war between the two prominent politicians. The suspected arsonists had set ablaze the hallowed chamber of the state assembly.

They were said to have gained entry into the chamber and set it ablaze as a ploy to stop the alleged impeachment plot against the governor.

The quick response of the fire service stopped the fire from spreading to the entire assembly complex. 

House leader removed 

Yesterday, the leadership of the state assembly removed the house leader, Edison Ehie, as the majority leader.

Edison Ehie is a strong supporter of Governor Similanayi Fubara and was said to have frustrated the initial attempt to initiate the impeachment process against the governor.

Announcing the removal of the majority leader at the assembly seating in Port Harcourt, the speaker of the house, Martins Amaehwule, said the majority leader was removed for not attending the assembly seating.

Amaehwule said 24 members of the house supported his removal. Unconfirmed reports had it that the lawmakers have directed the clerk of the house to issue an impeachment notice to the governor.

How Fubara was attacked at the assembly complex

Governor Siminalayi Fubara was said to have foiled an attempt by some alleged compromised police officers who shot at him with the intention to kill while he visited the assembly to assess the extent of damage done to the complex by the hoodlums.

Fubara described as unfortunate the attempt by some disgruntled persons to forcefully take over control of the assembly and condemned the burning of sections of the building.

“The truth is that everybody who knows me knows that I am a peaceful person. I can never ever, even if I am aware that there is a plot to impeach me for whatever reason, be part of such a destruction.

“I am worried that a facility like this that we used taxpayers’ money to build will be destroyed for selfish reasons just to please somebody. From what I have seen, even the security is compromised because they were shooting at me directly. The DC operations were shooting at me,” the governor alleged.

Governor Fubara described as null and void any illegal legislative action that has been taken by some members who held a purported plenary session, saying, “Let it be on record; whoever masterminded the attack at the assembly is trying to divert attention.”

Addressing Rivers youths, Governor Fubara commended them for standing up to protect the interest of Rivers State and said he is not scared about impeachment but such action must be properly explained and justified.

Clark asks Tinubu to call Wike, security agencies to order

Meanwhile, an elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and security agencies in Rivers State to order following the impeachment plot against Governor Siminalaye Fubara.

Clark in a statement yesterday said Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the country at large.

The elder statesman said Nigeria is in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all Rivers people who have suffered enough political crises.

The statement reads in part: “I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers State in the last 24 hours. I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalaye Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office.

“I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike. And that the intention is to remove the governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, to resign, and install the speaker of the house of assembly, another Ikwerre person, as the governor of the state.

“Let me warn strongly; we won’t allow that to happen. President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.”

Edison Ehie emerges factional speaker

However, the suspended leader of the state house of assembly, Edison Ehie, said he has been elected as the speaker of the assembly.

Ehie said he was elected as speaker after the plenary yesterday. He said about 26 assembly members elected him as the new speaker of the 10th Rivers assembly.

“My commitment to Rivers people is that I will be fair and just to all and sundry. And I will ensure that the rule of law takes its course. I will not betray my colleagues; I will not betray Rivers people, I will not betray my constituents,” he said.  

Rivers PDP calls for caution 

Meanwhile, the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, has called on both the legislative and executive arms of government in the state to exercise restraint in the ongoing impasse between them.

PDP in a statement by the state chairman, Desmond Akawor, and secretary, Benebo George, said it was not unaware of the impasse between the two arms of government, but expressed confidence that the situation would be cordially handled.

According to the statement, the party is consulting with various stakeholders and other notable personalities in the state with a view to resolving the situation at stake.

It expressed optimism that the conflict, which is a family affair, would be resolved amicably at the end of the day.

The Rivers State Police Command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said that the command was on top of the security situations that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex. 

Koko said a full-scale investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the situations and take immediate policing actions against anyone found wanting. 

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, said If the story to impeach the governor is anything to go by, “there is no relationship; it is human beings that are impeached and not the building.”