The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum (RELEF) has raised strong objections to the impeachment notice issued against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, warning that the move could destabilise the state and undermine democracy.
In a statement released on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Acting Chairman of RELEF, Dr Gabriel Toby, a former deputy governor of the state, described the impeachment attempt as ill-conceived and lacking constitutional merit.
The impeachment notice followed an emergency plenary session held on Wednesday by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Dr Toby cautioned that impeachment is a serious constitutional process that must not be abused as a tool for political vendetta or factional rivalry. He argued that the reasons advanced by the lawmakers were weak, insubstantial and failed to meet the threshold of public interest or constitutional justification.
According to him, the allegations against Governor Fubara appear to be driven by narrow personal interests rather than a genuine concern for good governance.
“The mandate of the governor was freely given by the electorate and can only be questioned in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and on the basis of clear, compelling and verifiable grounds,” Toby stated.
He warned that the impeachment move could deepen political divisions in the state and further erode public confidence in democratic institutions, noting that Rivers State was still grappling with the aftermath of recent political and institutional disruptions.
“Our people are still bearing the consequences of that episode, and the present development risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions,” he said.
The elder statesman stressed that the state urgently needs stability and focused governance, calling on members of the House of Assembly to immediately retrace their steps in the interest of peace and progress.
He urged lawmakers to put the collective interest of Rivers State above partisan or personal considerations and reaffirmed RELEF’s commitment to peace, unity, justice and constitutional democracy.
“We will not remain silent in the face of actions capable of threatening the stability, dignity and future of Rivers State,” Toby said. “We appeal for wisdom and restraint to prevail and urge all stakeholders to allow the state to heal and move forward.”
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