Four days after impeachment proceedings were initiated against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, emerging facts indicate that the governor has not been formally served with any notice, despite claims circulating in some quarters.
Sources within government circles confirmed that Governor Fubara only returned to Nigeria late Saturday after an official trip to Europe. He reportedly attended Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service on Sunday before travelling to Abuja, and has not been physically present in Rivers State since then.
According to a senior government source, this makes any claim that the governor was served with impeachment papers “factually impossible.”
“There is no way he could have been served any impeachment letter when he has not been in the state for days. Reports claiming otherwise are simply not correct,” the source said.
Last Thursday, 26 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct.
However, signs are now emerging that the impeachment effort may be losing steam, as political and traditional leaders intensify behind-the-scenes moves to prevent a breakdown of governance in the state.
A prominent Niger Delta elder and Ijaw leader disclosed that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis amicably.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Light will always prevail over darkness and impunity. A lot of work is going on in the background, and I can assure you this impeachment will not go anywhere,” the elder said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over what it described as an alleged plot to use the judiciary to halt the impeachment process.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, accused persons linked to the state government of attempting to secure ex parte court orders from Rivers State High Courts outside Port Harcourt to restrain the Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties.
“The House has received credible information that some individuals are seeking illegal court orders from courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to stop the Assembly from performing its legislative functions,” George stated.
He insisted that those already served with allegations of gross misconduct should respond through due process rather than resort to what he termed “subterranean tactics” or media attacks against the Assembly.
In a fresh move to de-escalate the crisis, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has set up a high-powered mediation team. A seven-man committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, was inaugurated in Abuja on Monday.
The committee is expected to engage all parties involved in the Rivers political crisis and recommend a peaceful way forward.
There are also unconfirmed reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Rivers State House of Assembly to suspend all impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The President was reportedly said to have advised the lawmakers to consult the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while warning against actions that could further inflame tensions or destabilise the state.
As political maneuvering continues, Rivers State remains on edge, with growing calls for restraint, dialogue and constitutional order to prevail.
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