Two lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the ongoing move to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
The lawmakers are the Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, the duo said they had reconsidered their earlier position and were now calling on the House to halt the impeachment process.
According to them, their change of stance followed appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, who urged them to show restraint and seek a peaceful resolution.
They appealed to their colleagues in the State Assembly to reconsider the impeachment plan and explore other ways to resolve the crisis.
“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,” they said.
The lawmakers admitted that the governor and his deputy were accused of constitutional violations but insisted that the situation could still be resolved without resorting to impeachment.
“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,” they added.
It would be recalled that Governor Fubara and his deputy were served impeachment notices last Thursday over allegations of gross misconduct, a development that heightened political tension in the state.
The latest appeal by the two lawmakers may ease the impeachment push and open the door for dialogue within the Rivers State political space.
