Rivers State lawmakers have provided reasons for their insistence on impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing alleged attempts by the governor to undermine the process. Hon. Looloo Opuende, representing Akuku Toru Constituency 11, claimed that while some stakeholders and members of the Assembly sought a political solution to the ongoing crisis, Governor Fubara was allegedly working covertly to induce constituents to recall the lawmakers involved in the impeachment.
Speaking at a press conference at the temporary Assembly complex on Aba Road, Port Harcourt on Friday, Opuende said, “While the impeachment process was going on, the governor was busy paying our constituents to withdraw us from the Assembly. Is that the right thing to do? If you wanted peace, you should have called the leadership of the Assembly and discussed the right way to go. Impeachment is a constitutional matter. I support and urge the speaker to reconstitute the House for the process to continue.”
Opuende further urged those opposing the impeachment to examine the root causes of the dispute between the executive and legislative arms of the state government. When contacted for comment on the allegation that the governor was paying individuals to recall lawmakers, the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Dr. Darlington Oji, said, “I am not aware.”