The Rivers State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara are being influenced by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, stated this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, insisting that lawmakers are acting strictly within constitutional provisions and not at the behest of any political figure.
He described suggestions of external influence as “unfair and demeaning” to the legislature, warning against mixing politics with constitutional duties.
“This is pouring oil into water, and those two don’t mix unless boiled. The FCT minister is a politician. If we begin to mix politics and constitutional matters, we will begin to cause trouble,” George said.
George further ruled out any political intervention to halt the impeachment process, stressing that the Assembly would follow due process to its logical conclusion. “So I very sincerely doubt that because we’ve had one too many political solutions… Right now, what we’re talking about is the law,” he said, adding that repeated constitutional breaches could not be resolved through political fixes.
His comments came hours after the Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, with 26 lawmakers signing a notice alleging gross misconduct, including extra-budgetary spending, withholding statutory funds, demolition of the Assembly complex and defiance of Supreme Court rulings.