Babatunji Wusu –
According to the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, any attempt to remove State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office will be categorically rejected.
This was disclosed by the forum in a statement released during an emergency meeting on Sunday in the state capital of Port Harcourt.
The forum declared that it is unacceptable to try to remove the governor from office after only six months in office without giving the State’s citizens an explanation for the decision.
In order for the parliamentarians to resume their legislative work as soon as possible at the permanent location, it was requested that the Rivers Government reconstruct the destroyed House of Assembly Complex as soon as feasible.
The forum further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the State’s problem and denounced an alleged attack on Governor Fubara by police officers.
The communique reads: “The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in office without explaining to the good people of the State the reasons and infractions of law are unacceptable.
“The Forum reviewed the embarrassing and dangerous ongoing happenings in Rivers State and, by extension, Nigeria, viz: attempt to impeach Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers, attack on the life of the Executive Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara allegedly by some security agents on Monday 30th October 2023 and other acts of impunity and lawlessness which portend great dangers to the peace and security of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
“The Forum reviewed the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Rivers State Government and urged the Government to expedite action on rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly Complex so that lawmakers will continue their legislative business in the permanent site within the shortest possible time.
“The Forum regretted that neither Governor Siminialayi Fubara nor Chief (Barrister) Nyesom Wike responded to our letters seeking an audience with each of them.”
The Forum stated that it is aware of the potential for forum shopping and the purchase of legal instruments outside of Rivers State to spark unrest in the area and jeopardize property and life.
It added: “An alleged already written/ premeditated court ruling by one Justice Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court 8 Abuja on an exparte application secretly filled in the night by pro-Wike former lawmakers which the judge wants to deliver tomorrow been Monday where he wants to stop the declaration of their seat vacant (an action that has been done) and also give them the legitimacy to move in with DSS and police to start the illegal impeachment of Gov. Fubara.”
