The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the threat by the Rivers House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The party labelled the leadership of the 27-member Assembly as illegitimate and urged the lawmakers to allow the courts to determine their status following their defection from the PDP to the APC.
The state publicity secretary of the PDP, Sydney Tambari Gbara, urged the state lawmakers to cease disturbing the peace of the state.
Gbara said, “You have several cases querying your legality in court; why are you running away from them? You are here constituting a public nuisance, engaging in illegal assembly, taking illegal decisions, and making illegal laws, knowing full well that you no longer represent your constituents.
“If you want to know what Rivers people think about you, go to the streets and ask questions. You are an illegal assembly, and your laws are inconsequential to the people.
“Although we are not holding a brief for the state government, as a party, let me, for the umpteenth time, tell Tony Okocha that Governor Siminialayi Fubara has, in his desire to further deepen peace in the state, implemented the Peace Accord and in accordance with our laws. So your attempt to try to stampede Governor Fubara into taking unconstitutional actions is like blowing hot air.”
Recall that about 27 lawmakers, who were loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara last year.
Subsequently, they resigned from the PDP to join the APC due to political differences between Fubara and Wike.
This resulted in their seats being declared vacant by some lawmakers loyal to the governor.
Meanwhile, an eight-point peace pact brokered by President Tinubu late last year facilitated the governor’s recognition of the assembly. Despite this, the crisis persists.
Recently, the state assembly threatened to impeach Fubara due to his refusal to implement all directives in the pact.
Additionally, the state assembly accused Fubara of failing to allocate funds to the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission to conduct elections for local government councils in the state.
