The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that if the Rivers State House of Assembly believes Governor Siminalayi Fubara has violated the constitution, they should proceed with impeachment.
Wike, who said this on Wednesday during a media chat with select journalists, asserted that politics should not be taken lightly and that removing the governor would not constitute a criminal offence.
According to the minister, “Politics is not just play. If you have committed an offence worthy of impeachment, what’s wrong with that? Is it a criminal offence? It is provided for in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly?
“If you have committed an infraction of the constitution, and the Assembly deems it appropriate to say you should be impeached, so be it.
“I have heard people say, ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order.’ Rubbish! Nothing will happen.”
While defending his commitment to legal procedures and fairness, Wike questioned how a handful of legislators could pass laws and expect them to be recognised as valid.
“I cannot believe that, in this country, we have reached a point where Nigerians are discussing how three members of the House can sit and make a law and then refer the matter to the Supreme Court.
“Speakers and Assembly members are not our children; they were elected representatives. They are not your boys or girls. You sit with them and play with them, and I travelled with my Speakers to build relationships. It is not a master-servant dynamic.”
LEADERSHIP reports that the Rivers governor Fubara has been at loggerheads with the state lawmakers following his falling out with his mentor and predecessor, Wike, who are believed to be Wike’s acolytes.
Wike also described Fubara’s letter, which sought a meeting with lawmakers regarding the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s political crisis, as “useless.”
He disapproved of Fubara’s public approach to the State Assembly, emphasising that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the Assembly members are not Fubara’s subordinates and should be treated respectfully.
According to the FCT minister, rather than draft a public letter, Fubara should have called Amaewhule and his team directly to facilitate a meeting.
He stressed that the lawmakers are independent and should not be perceived as answerable to the governor.
“You have had a frosty relationship with a branch of government. If you are a good politician, would you write a letter? Is it appropriate to send a letter signed by the SSG?
“What an insult! This is not how it should be done. Politicians know the right way to communicate. You aim to play to the gallery, but that is nonsense. All these letters are useless; they lack sincerity and seem like mere performances,” he said.
When questioned about restoring peace in the state, Wike emphasised that genuine peace cannot be achieved until appropriate actions are taken.
“What is peace? What’s more important than ensuring the right things are done? When justice is served, peace follows.
“But if the right issues are not addressed, how can we talk about peace? To present the budget, submit the list of commissioners,” he said.
While responding to questions regarding plans to conduct local government elections in the state, Wike expressed disappointment with Mr Enebeli, whom he appointed RSIEC chairman, stating that he lacks integrity.
“The Assembly summoned the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), one of the most corrupt individuals I have ever encountered.
“He knows who I am, so let him challenge me. Instead of appearing before the Assembly, he went to the state High Court because the Chief Judge is his ally, but this won’t conclude the matter,” he said.
Wike likened the situation to one where the National Assembly summons the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, who then opts for judicial intervention.
“When you operate outside the bounds of legality, you will eventually face consequences. Now I’d like to explain why the August 27 local government elections won’t happen.
“It will not stand. That chairman, Adolphus Enebeli, is only interested in personal gain. Did he even read the judgment?
“I know him well, as I appointed him. These are individuals lacking in character. Yes, you can hold me accountable; I take full responsibility,” he said.
Drama As Security Agents Lock Fubara Out of State Assembly Quarters
On Wednesday, there was a mild drama at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt as security personnel attached to the quarters allegedly locked the main gate to prevent Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his entourage from accessing the facility.
The Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly has been holding its sittings in the quarters since October 2023 when the House of Assembly complex, located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, was gutted by fire.
It was learnt that Fubara was at the facility to present the 2025 appropriation bill following the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s verdict of February 28, 2025.
It was further gathered that the action of the security personnel was hinged on the position that there was no official communication between the governor and the Assembly.
However, speaking with newsmen in front of the quarters, the governor stated that he communicated with Amaewhule through a letter, informing the Speaker that he would be at the House of Assembly quarters to present the 2025 budget before the lawmakers.
He stated that all his efforts to reach Amaewhule through phone calls on Wednesday were futile.
Fubara said: “I am here myself this morning with a few executive council members to comply with the Supreme Court judgement. Before my arrival, I had made several phone attempts to reach the speaker and other members.
“I also wrote a personal letter, which was transmitted to the Honourable Speaker, about this particular visitation. But it is unfortunate that at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything will happen today.
“The reason why we are doing this is in the interest of our people. That is the most important thing. Well, I don’t think there is anything to worry about. Maybe they are working on the letter, and I expect to hear from them very soon.”
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