Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the ongoing impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, urging their colleagues to embrace dialogue and an amicable resolution of the political crisis rocking the state.
The lawmakers—Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly and member representing Omuma State Constituency, and Hon. Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency—made their position known during a joint press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo acknowledged that the House had already issued a notice of impeachment against Governor Fubara and his deputy but appealed to fellow lawmakers to temper justice with mercy and explore alternative means of resolving the dispute outside the impeachment process.
According to him, the appeal followed widespread interventions from elders, leaders, and stakeholders within and outside Rivers State, who have called for restraint and reconciliation in the interest of peace and stability.
“We are here to appeal to the conscience of our colleagues,” Nwankwo said, noting that despite alleged constitutional infractions by the governor and his deputy, the situation could still be resolved amicably without resorting to impeachment.
Echoing the same sentiment, Abbey said the lawmakers’ decision to step back from the impeachment push was informed by appeals from prominent leaders and concerned citizens across the country.
While admitting that the governor may have breached certain provisions of the Constitution, Abbey stressed that leadership demands compassion and wisdom, especially at critical moments.
He urged both the Assembly and the executive arm to exercise restraint, adding that Governor Fubara also has a responsibility to avoid actions that could further escalate the crisis.
The lawmakers expressed confidence that renewed dialogue and mutual understanding could lead to a peaceful settlement of the dispute, calling on all parties to put the overall interest of Rivers State above political considerations.
Their intervention marks a significant shift in the unfolding impeachment process, raising fresh questions about the unity and direction of the Assembly’s stance against the governor.
