Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dismissed concerns over a potential impeachment following Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which recognized the 27 lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The apex court’s verdict significantly altered the political landscape in the state, ordering the Federal Government to withhold financial allocations to Rivers State until Fubara complies with its directive to present the state budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule. Additionally, the court nullified the local government election conducted last year by Fubara’s administration.
The ruling effectively handed control of the legislative arm to the pro-Wike lawmakers, escalating the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and his former political mentor, Wike.
Since October 2023, the Rivers State House of Assembly has been sharply divided, with 27 lawmakers supporting Wike, while four others remained loyal to Fubara.
An initial impeachment attempt against Fubara by the pro-Wike faction led to a violent confrontation, including the bombing of the Assembly complex. In response, Fubara disregarded the 27 lawmakers and presented the 2024 and 2025 budgets to the four-member Assembly loyal to him.
However, the Supreme Court declared Fubara’s action illegal, instructing him to submit the budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers.
Despite this ruling, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed fears of impeachment, insisting that the governor retains the mandate of the Rivers people.
“Afraid of what? The governor is on his toes and has the mandate of the Rivers people. He will obey the law and respect the sanctity of the law,” Johnson told The PUNCH.
He further revealed that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding on the next course of action.
“I cannot say whether we will implement it or not. Let us see what the judgment says, evaluate it, and then we will act accordingly,” Johnson stated.
He also reiterated the government’s stance that Amaewhule and the 26 other pro-Wike lawmakers had lost their legislative seats following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
