Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed concerns about a possible impeachment following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which recognized the 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ruling ordered the Federal Government to withhold financial allocations to Rivers State until Fubara presents the state budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule. It also nullified the local government election conducted last year under Fubara’s administration.
The Supreme Court’s decision has shifted power toward Wike and his loyalists, further intensifying the political crisis that began in October 2023.
At the height of the crisis, the Rivers State House of Assembly was divided, with 27 lawmakers supporting Wike, while only four remained with Fubara. The pro-Wike lawmakers previously attempted to impeach Fubara, an effort that was met with resistance, leading to the bombing of the Assembly complex.
Despite the latest ruling, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed any impeachment fears.
He said, “Afraid of what? The governor is on his toes and he has the mandate of the Rivers people. The governor will obey the law, respect the sanctity of the law and respect the opinions of Rivers people.”
Johnson also stated that the state government is waiting for the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding on the next steps. He insisted that Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were no longer members of the Assembly.
