Rivers Assembly Alleges Plot To Thwart Impeachment Process

The Rivers State House of Assembly, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, said it had uncovered a plot by certain persons to utilise some State High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue exparte order to stop it from going ahead with the impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

The statement was signed by the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George.

It reads: “The Rives State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts, especially outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to issue exparte orders illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing her constitutional duties.

“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the Constitution,which states that “subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term or office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, Governor or Deputy Governor has ceased or become vacant.

“Also, Section 188(10) states that “no proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matters relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter especially recently at the Court of Appeal on a matter involving similar exparte order by a Rivers State High Court contrary to Section 272(3) of the Constitution. A word is enough for the wise.

“Therefore,with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct to respond to them item by item rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.

“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria.”

Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday made a first public appearance days after he and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, were served notices of impeachment by the members of the state House of Assembly.

This is as the House said it had uncovered a secret plot by some persons to use the Rivers State High Courts, outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to subvert the Nigerian Constitution as it relates to the impeachment notices served on the governor and his deputy.

Fubara, who arrived at the state capital yesterday morning went straight from the Port Harcourt International Airport, to Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road, Port Harcourt for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day interdenominational church service.

The governor was received by his deputy as well as former Governor Peter Odili and Engr. Tele Ikuru, a former deputy governor of the state as well as the Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Blessing Enyinna, amongst others.

However, addressing the congregation, Fubara, who refused to speak on the impeachment notices, said he only rely on God for protection and guidance.

He said: “Let me say it here: when we’re having the New Year dinner, I said something that dogs back when they don’t understand. A lot of you don’t understand. The reason why I don’t shout, I don’t complain, I know I have what is very big and that is God.

“I want every one to be relaxed. What is important is peace of this dear state and we will get peace by the special grace of God.”