30th October, 2023
*Let them tell Rivers people the offense I committed
*Leader of Rivers Assembly, three other lawmakers loyal to Fubara suspended
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday morning stormed Rivers House of Assembly defying smokes of teargas and gunshots vowing to defend his mandate amidst plot to impeach him by lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Gov. Nyesom Wike.
Fubara was seen in a viral video leading an entourage to the House of Assembly Complex as he was being doused with teargas and hot waters from water Cannons.
Speaking on a elevated podium at the Assembly complex, Fubara said: “On my way to this place(Assembly Complex) I was shot at with live bullets and teargas, but I don’t mind a person will die in one way or the other.”
He challenged those behind moves to impeach him to tell Rivers people his alleged offences.
Speaking amidst crowd of supporters, he said: “If I am impeached today, I won’t be the first or the last Governor to be impeached. But I can assure Rivers people that I will stand and defend their mandate so that you enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
The Governor spoke amidst reports of plot to impeach him by some members of the State House of Assembly loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
But Fubara said he has not committed any offence to warrant impeachment by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Let them come out and tell Rivers people the offence I have committed to warrant any impeachment,” the governor said while addressing his supporters at the Assembly Complex.
The governor, who assured the people of the state of dividends of democracy, said he would speak on the matter at the appropriate time.
“Let me assure the people of Rivers that I will continue to ensure that you get the dividends of democracy. At the appropriate time I will address the press,” he said.
Earlier, Rivers House of Assembly members believed to be loyal to Wike led by their Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, had served an impeachment notice on Fubara.
They accused the Governor of gross failure in performance of his responsibilities as the chief executive of the state
But they fled the House of Assembly for safety as tear gas was fired outside the Complex.
But before they left, they suspended the Leader of the Assembly, Edison Ehie and three other lawmakers believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara.