The Rivers House of Assembly has withdrawn its impeachment notice against Gov. Siminialayi Fubara.
The announcement was made Wednesday two days after President Bola Tinubu’s office announced that the presidency had reached an agreement to end the political crisis in the oil-rich state.
Budding crisis
The assembly has witnessed strife since October, dividing into two factions after an attempt to impeach Gov. Fubara. This led to a section of the assembly complex being set alight.
The crisis has been as a result of the clash between Gov. Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The House speaker, Martin Amaewhule, heads the 27-member faction loyal to Mr. Wike, while Edison Ehie, a former leader removed for refusing to endorse Gov. Fubara’s impeachment, emerged as the speaker of the faction loyal to the governor. The two factions have been holding parallel sittings at different locations in Port Harcourt.
Last week, the crisis intensified as the state government demolished the state assembly building, following the defection of members of the Wike-backed faction to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
To solidify his leadership after the defection of Mr. Amaewhule’s faction, Mr Ehie obtained a court order allowing his faction to conduct legislative business without interference.
President Tinubu met with the factions on Monday, including Mr Fubara, after which his office said the lawmakers had agreed to suspend efforts to remove the governor.
The terms of the deal said the governor would recognize the 27 lawmakers, recall commissioners who had resigned and will not interfere in the functions of the assembly.
Many Nigerians have criticised the terms of the deal, which apparently favours Mr Wike, and its tone, which appears to indicate the president gave directives to the governor. The president has no such powers.
New development
On Wednesday, Mr Amaewhule and his team held a plenary at the auditorium of the Assembly’s residential quarters in Port Harcourt.
He read the impeachment withdrawal notice, saying the decision followed the intervention of the president.
“Following the agreement reached on Dec. 18 at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, the House has withdrawn the notice of impeachment it earlier served on the governor,” he said.
“The house would also abide by the agreements and advice of the President, this is a mark of immense respect by members,” he said.
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