The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on its members in the state House of Assembly to commence impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
APC’s impeachment call is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Fubara said the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, is not recognised by law.
Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, said in a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the impeachment process was necessary because the governor “has insulted the sensibility” of President Bola Tinubu, who intervened to resolve the lingering crisis in the state.
APC said the impeachment process was necessary in view of the Governor’s blatant refusal to honour the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Tinubu between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, some months ago and his recent declaration of the lawmakers’ seats vacant.
Recall that on Monday, Governor Fubara had declared, for the first time since the commencement of the crisis, that the APC lawmakers do not exist in the eyes of the law, adding that “those group of men who claim that they are Assembly members, they are not existing…their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allow them to do so. If I don’t recognize them, they are nowhere”.
Fubara, and the State House of Assembly have been at loggerheads over the passage of the Amended State’s Procurement Bill.
The Assembly, at its 173th Legislative Sitting, overrode the assent of Governor Fubara, to pass the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into Law.
Amaewhule’s led assembly, took the decision to override the Governor after the governor allegedly withheld his assent.
But, the Rivers State Governor, criticised the attitude of the members of the state legislature towards his administration, saying the members would cease to exist as legislators if he so decides.
The House had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024 and transmitted same to the Governor for assent, but the housed claimed that the Governor had declined assent.
Speaking on the Bill which was presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack and debated upon by Members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, reiterated the essence of the Bill, noting that it would secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that taxpayers’ money are not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.
Amaewhule regretted a situation where contracts awarded without legal backing and the State being governed in a dictatorial manner.
He added that despite all the malfeasance, the House would continue to uphold the Laws of Rivers State and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered; stressing that if the Governor Fubara continue in the manner, the House would at the appropriate time take more stringent measures.
According to him, the House cannot stand aloof and watch the Governor continue to breach the Laws of the State in a tyrannical manner.
However, Fubara in quick reaction had said: “Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing.”
Fubara said the lawmakers are only existing based on his interest on the Abuja peace accord initiated by President Tinubu.
Fubara spoke while addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State, who visited him in the Government House, Port Harcourt, to seek an end to the political crisis in Rivers State and an improved relationship between both states.
Those in the delegation included the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, who is the Traditional Ruler of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, other Traditional Rulers, former Commissioners, former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Siriake Dickson, former State and National Assembly members and PDP executives.
Fubara told the delegation that despite wielding state powers which he can deploy to achieve his aim, he has continued to act as the big brother in the face of intimidation and unwarranted attacks.
He revealed that he had always been present at any meeting that was called to resolve the crisis in the state but after each meeting, he was met with a new dimension of the crisis from the opposing side.
He said: “Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record. I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a floating. That is the truth.
“There was nothing in that Peace Accord that’s a constitutional issue; it’s a political solution to a problem. And I accepted it because these were people that were eating in my house, these were people I have helped paid their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there?
“We might have our division but I believe that one day, we could also come together, but it has gotten to a time when I have to make a statement that they are not existing. Their existence is me allowing them to exist. If I de-recognise them, they are nowhere. I want you to see the sacrifice I have made in allowing peace to reign in our state.”
Fubara maintained that he had been open to honour peace meetings but the opposing side had turned same down.
He said that, in seeking peaceful resolution to the political crisis that erupted in the State since last year, he had acted as a “big brother”, giving chance for peace to reign, but said he wouldn’t bow to worship the opposing party, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara said though he acknowledges the role of Wike in the political process that informed his emergence, yet it does not amount to him (Wike) playing as God, to whom he stated he won’t worship.
“God can do anything He wants to do when He wants to do it. It is only for us to realize that. God will not come down from Heaven but will pass through one man or woman to achieve His purpose.
“So, for that reason, when we act, we act as humans; human vessels that God has used, and not seeing yourself as God.
“I want to say this clearly that we appreciate the role our leaders, most especially the immediate past governor, played. But that is not enough for me to worship a human being. I can’t do that,” he said.
Fubara has been at loggerheads with his predecessor who worked the way through for his election as Governor.
Although Fubara described the issues informing the crisis as bedroom problems “that ought not to be anything” but allowed to fester into the public space, he said he has played the part of peace and have attended several reconciliation meetings, but the resolutions were turned down by the other party.
President Bola Tinubu at the heat of the crisis had intervened to reconcile the contending parties, but the crisis seems to remain, as politicians loyal to Wike have kept the lines apart. Some cabinet members loyal to the Minister earlier tendered resignation from their position, while those in the State House of Assembly have kept factional lines of contention, with divisive legislative instruments.