The political camp of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has found itself in a deeper predicament following the decision by the state House of Assembly to investigate the alleged age falsification of the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi.
During its 135th legislative sitting, the House resolved to request that the Department of State Services (DSS) investigate the Chief Judge in light of allegations made by the Leader of the House, Hon Major Jack.
The House affirmed that age falsification is a “serious offence,” but that the allegations must be substantiated, necessitating a thorough investigation of the Chief Judge to determine their validity.
In response, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule, stated that the House is empowered by Section 128 of the constitution to investigate the allegations, but he quickly accused Governor Fubara of preventing heads of ministries, departments, and agencies from appearing before the House.
It is important to note that Justice Amadi was screened to become the Chief Judge of the state approximately three years ago when Wike was governor. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Amadi, who shares the same Ikwerre ethnic background as Wike, reportedly declined a bribe of N5 billion along with luxurious houses in London and America to betray the governor and clear the way for his eventual impeachment.
Commenting on the situation facing the Chief Judge, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives during the 7th National Assembly, stated that the actions of the Assembly members were merely intended to intimidate the Chief Judge in their pursuit of the governor.
“The process of impeaching the governor is not easy. That is why they are targeting the governor’s loyalists to create a state of emergency, at most.”
The rapid succession of events in the state this week, particularly after the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, publicly declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara could be impeached by the House of Assembly and that “heaven will not fall,” suggests there may be more to come.
Wike’s bold statement followed a crucial meeting in Abuja with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a delegation from the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), where the forum was asked to urge the beleaguered Governor to “obey the rule of law,” referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, Wike’s impeachment threats against Fubara, paired with his derogatory remarks regarding the Ijaw ethnic group, have provoked strong reactions from the Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA), a religious institution for the Ijaws, as well as other respected organisations like the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and its youth wing, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
It is worth recalling that during the early years of militancy in the Niger Delta, with Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states being the epicentres of conflict, the Egbesu god was said to have been invoked to repel federal troops from the troubled areas.
The leader of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, Sergeant Werinipre Digifa, told Saturday Vanguard over the phone that the Ijaw people would “shock” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if Governor Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.
Digifa also responded to the President, asserting that he lacks the ability to contain Wike’s behaviour. “Tinubu should be held accountable for the recklessness and arrogance Wike is displaying towards the Ijaw nation.
“This is why I maintain that Nigeria is a banana republic. Someone has turned the judiciary into their personal playground, manipulating it to serve their desires. If Fubara is impeached, we will not resort to violence, as the Ijaw people do not endorse violence. We will accept the situation with grace. But we will surprise them.”
Digifa added, “We are closely monitoring the ongoing political developments, which constitute pure harassment and intimidation of the Governor of Rivers State. We are aware of the insults, reckless comments, and abuses directed at the Ijaw ethnic nationality by Hon Wike.
“The Niger Delta is a community, and when controversies arise, sensible individuals do not hastily intervene. There is an African saying that ‘two mad people do not behave madly at the same time.’
“We are neither slumbering nor cowardly. However, let it be noted that we have consistently triumphed in our just battles, and this will be no different. This blatant arrogance displayed by Wike was avoidable.”
Digifa expressed disappointment that President Tinubu has allowed the crisis to escalate, stating, “I had initially thought he had the capability to govern Nigeria effectively, but based on recent developments, it is evident that we misjudged President Tinubu’s leadership abilities.”
