POLITICS
Rivers Impeachment Crisis Takes New Turn as Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey, Backtrack Appeal for Mercy After Elders’ Intervention
The raging political storm at the Rivers State House of Assembly took a dramatic twist on Monday as the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, and his colleague, Peter Abbey, publicly retraced their steps in the ongoing move to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy.
Nwankwo, who represents the Omuma State Constituency, alongside Abbey, the lawmaker for Degema Constituency, made their position known during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where they openly appealed to the House to reconsider the impeachment process already set in motion.
The lawmakers revealed that their change of stance was prompted by intense pressure and passionate appeals from respected leaders and elders within and outside Rivers State, who called for restraint, dialogue, and political maturity in handling the deepening crisis.
According to them, the impeachment route, though constitutionally provided for, could further inflame tensions in the state if not carefully managed.
They said, “Rivers State issued a notice of impeachment on Governor Fubara and his Deputy. We appeal to our fellow colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how we can solve this matter without the impeachment proceedings.
“Having listened to so many calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, we are begging our colleagues to reconsider our steps and see how this matter can be resolved amicably even though the governor and his deputy have infringed on the Constitution.”
Their public plea signals a possible softening of positions within the Assembly, raising hopes that behind-the-scenes negotiations and reconciliation efforts may yet avert a full-blown constitutional showdown.
It is reported that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy were served with a notice of impeachment on Thursday last week, following allegations of gross misconduct, a development that has since heightened political tension across the state.
As Rivers State watches closely, the coming days are expected to reveal whether the lawmakers’ appeal will gain traction among their colleagues or whether the impeachment process will proceed, further reshaping the state’s polit
ical landscape.