Crisis in Rivers Assembly as Wike’s supporters attempt to remove Fubara
By Matthew Atungwu
Supporters of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Monday stormed the State Assembly building in protest of the plot, following the passage of a resolution by 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach the governor.
This followed the alleged arsonists’ Sunday bombing of the state House of Assembly, which is situated along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt. Certain properties were destroyed, and a portion of the chamber sustained damage.
It was believed that the purpose of Sunday’s explosion at the assembly was to stop the legislators from carrying out their intended impeachment; nevertheless, the fire was extinguished by the firemen.
The lawmakers, who were believed to be loyal to the immediate past Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had signed an impeachment notice against the embattled governor early Monday morning.
The development resulted in the deployment of security operatives in the assembly complex and other locations in Port Harcourt, the state capital, sparking tension and fear about a possible eruption of violence in the state.
Following the crisis, the state assembly was cordoned off by armed security personnel.
The cause of the crisis between Fubara and his godfather, Wike, could not be ascertained but the impeachment plot blew open the alleged cold war between the two men.
Wike had singlehandedly supported the election of Fubara against the will of some stakeholders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state.
Wike could not comment on Monday as calls to his line indicated that it was switched off.
He had yet to respond to a text message seeking his reaction to the impeachment plot against his successor as of the time of filing this report.
The stage for the crisis was set late Sunday night with the alleged firebombing of a section of the assembly complex by unknown persons in a futile bid to prevent the anti-Fubara lawmakers from having their plenary on Monday.
But the attack failed to stop the legislators who met early Monday morning and signed an impeachment notice against the governor.
Led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers held a meeting at about 6am on Monday, where they signed the impeachment notice against Fubara.
The lawmakers also removed the House Leader, Edison Ehie, who was strongly opposed to the impeachment of the governor and suspended three other members said to be loyal to Fubara.
The suspended members include Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West, Adolphus Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro and Victor Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny.
Presenting the notice of impeachment, the member representing Omuma constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo stated that the notice was brought pursuant to section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, adding that the impeachment notice was predicated on ‘’gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor.’’
The Speaker condemned the bombing of the House by those he described as ‘misfits’, stressing that the House would not condone any ‘indecorous, rascally and irresponsible’ conduct from any member.
He said the House would follow the constitutional provisions as enshrined in Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The lawmakers after that left the assembly in a convoy accompanied by security operatives.
Shortly after, the governor accompanied by three Department of State Services operatives and supporters arrived at the assembly.
A viral video showed policemen firing gunshots, tear gas canisters, and water cannons at the governor and scores of his supporters as they walked to the state assembly complex.
The governor and his loyalists were going to the assembly complex to assess the damage caused by the Sunday night arson attack at the complex when the incident occurred.
The DSS operatives were heard shouting at their colleagues, “Stop shooting, the governor is here.”
However, Fubara secured a temporary reprieve as he was able to swing some lawmakers to his side after having an emergency meeting with them at the Government House.
Following this sudden turn of events, the pro-Fubara house members announced the suspension of eight of their colleagues and the impeachment of Speaker Amaehwule.
Read Also: Alleged impeachment plot – Rivers House of Assembly in flames
Edison Ehie, who was earlier suspended as the leader of the House by the anti-Fubara lawmakers, was elected the factional speaker after the sitting held in the Government House.
The development came as part of efforts by pro-Fubara lawmakers to frustrate the bid to impeach the governor.
Addressing journalists at the Government House, Ehie said the House would give a fair hearing to the suspended members.
Reacting to the attack on him at the assembly complex in a statement by his media Aide, Boniface Onyedi, the governor said he foiled an alleged attempt by some compromised police officers to assassinate him.
He specifically accused the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations of shooting directly at him.
The governor said this happened when he visited the state assembly to assess the extent of damage following the bombing of the complex by some hoodlums.
Fubara described as unfortunate the attempt by some disgruntled persons to forcefully take over the control of the assembly.
He also condemned the attack on a section of the parliamentary building.
Recalling a similar development that happened in the state nine years ago, the governor explained that he decided to visit the assembly after hearing about the arson attack.
Fubara, who later addressed dozens of youths, including Ijaw Youth Council members at the Government House entrance, described as null and void the attempt to impeach him by some lawmakers.
The governor commended the youths for standing up to protect the interest of Rivers State and said he was not scared about the impeachment but such action had to be properly explained and justified.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has assured residents that they would launch an investigation into the incident at the House of Assembly.
The leadership of the PDP in the state called on both the legislative and executive arms of the government in the state to exercise restraint.
Reacting to the development, the state All Progressives Congress condemned the bombing of the assembly, saying it was a destruction of public assets.
The party spokesman, Darlington Nwauju however warned political leaders not to truncate the fragile peace and security of the state because of their selfish interest and greed.
Commenting on the situation, elder statesman and the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, admonished President Bola Tinubu to call Wike and the security forces in Rivers State to order.
Clark said he was greatly disturbed by the political developments in the state in the last 24 hours.
A former Rivers State commissioner for special duties, Tonye Cookeygam, faulted the impeachment process, stating that Fubara did not deserve such a treatment.
Also, a former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ibim Semenitari, condemned the attempt by some political actors to destabilize Rivers State.
