The Rivers State Government on Monday rejected the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) call for Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s resignation or impeachment.
The development comes as Fubara stated that he will not be deterred by threats from those seeking to disrupt governance by instigating political problems in the state.
He warned against any act of lawlessness and stressed that his path will always be focused on securing peace.
“I want to say to our teeming supporters, I know some of you, your spirits are high; some others, your spirits are low.
“I want to assure you, it doesn’t matter what the situation might be today; we will come up again stronger and better.
“Please continue to follow my footsteps, and that footsteps remain the path of peace. We need it because if anything happens, we are the greatest losers,” Fubara declared.
The APC faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had called for the governor’s resignation or impeachment, citing multiple alleged offences.
The opposition party, led by Chief Tony Okocha, also spurned the governor’s offer to a reconciliation conference with the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, calling it a “Greek gift.”
Fubara, in a letter written by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, on Sunday, requested the lawmakers to meet on Monday following the Supreme Court’s verdict that confirmed the 27 legislators as legitimate Assembly members.
In response to the invitation on Sunday, one of the members, Isaiah Opuende of Akuru-Toru Constituency 2, chastised Fubara for utilising social media platforms.
In an address to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha called for Fubara’s resignation, accusing the governor of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu and failing to implement the eight-point settlement previously agreed upon to resolve the conflict.
He wondered if the governor had bent over backwards after some extended grandstanding.
The APC chairman characterised Fubara as “clueless” and stressed that the two feasible options for him were to retire honourably or face impeachment proceedings.
“The options before Siminalayi Joseph Fubara are two: he should honourably resign or be impeached because he has run the state aground and disrespected Mr. President.
“The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek gift. The Supreme Court judgement is final. There is nothing anybody can do about it.
“The only option available to the governor now is for him to resign or be impeached. And he should be honourable about it,” he said.
He stated, “The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless. When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we were not joking. The evidence is clear.
“The governor behaves like a saint, but he is a dangerous snake. His meeting agenda with the lawmakers is puerile. Is he inviting them to discuss the Supreme Court judgement?
“And why was the invitation letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, instead of the governor himself? It’s an aberration. As far as I’m concerned, it is a Greek gift.”
Chief Okocha stated that the party would not stand by and watch the governor run the state aground with his leadership style.
He cautioned that the governor’s continuing term in office could lead to political instability in the state, comparing the situation to a “keg of gunpowder” waiting to burst.
Joseph Johnson, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, responded by dismissing Okocha’s words, claiming that he lacked the right to speak on behalf of the APC leadership. Johnson referred to Okocha as an ‘impostor’ whose ouster as state APC chairman was validated by the court.
He also argued that the request for impeachment was unfounded, as the governor had proved his commitment to peace by reaching out to lawmakers for conversation.
The commissioner stated, “I’ve decided not to be reckoning with what Chief Okocha says because he’s not a consistent person. He doesn’t have any moral grounds to make that call (impeachment) because as far as the law is concerned, he’s an impostor.
“A Rivers State High Court has long removed him from office. So, I think that he’s dangerously looking for relevance, and I don’t think that he deserves it from this government.”
Speaking further, he said, “This is not the first time; at some point he said he was going to ask members of his party who were in the House to invoke an impeachment proceeding. Not too long after, he recanted.
“So he’s not a man of his word. Nobody is talking about impeachment.
“An impeachment is not even on the table. The government is open to discussing with the Assembly members.”
