Bury Thoughts of Impeaching Fubara; You’re Not Lawmakers,” Eze Tells Amaewhule, Others

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former National Publicity Secretary of the dissolved New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), has advised the faction of lawmakers aligned with Martin Amaewhule to reconsider any actions aimed at impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Eze, an APC chieftain, expressed that the Amaewhule-led group has been operating outside their legislative duties since defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in December 2023.

The state has been tense since Governor Fubara chose to distance his administration from that of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Amidst these strained relations, rumors have circulated that the 27 lawmakers are planning to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Chief Eze argues that by joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), these lawmakers relinquished their mandate under the PDP and, thus, no longer hold the legitimacy to pursue legislative actions. He points to a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which directed Governor Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule faction, as an example of the ongoing power struggles in the Assembly.

In his statement, Eze emphasized that the Court of Appeal’s decision did not address the status of the defected lawmakers’ seats, declared vacant last December by then-Speaker Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie. Eze cited Section 109(i)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, noting that a legislator’s seat is automatically forfeited upon defection, negating any judicial interpretation.

Eze cautioned the judiciary to avoid becoming entangled in partisan disputes, which could escalate the already fragile political landscape in Rivers State. He added that some judicial officers might risk damaging the court’s credibility by aligning with politically motivated factions.

Calling on Amaewhule and his allies to refrain from engaging in actions that could heighten tensions, Eze suggested that any impeachment attempt could backfire, advising the lawmakers to be wary of instructions from Minister Wike. He urged the group to act responsibly, stating that Wike’s influence may not serve the long-term interests of the state.