Prosper Okoye
Pressure is mounting on the Rivers State House of Assembly to reconsider impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, after two lawmakers publicly withdrew their support for the move and called for dialogue.
The Minority Leader of the House, Sylvanus Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema constituency, said they had been persuaded by appeals from respected elders and political leaders within and outside the state to seek a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to suspend the impeachment process and explore reconciliation.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelGovernor Fubara and his deputy were formally served impeachment notices last Thursday, following allegations of gross misconduct.
The move has deepened an already tense standoff between the executive and the legislature, which has been widely linked to the political fallout between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now a senior federal minister.
The withdrawal of support by the two legislators comes amid heightened political consultations. On Sunday, several senior figures of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were reported to have visited Governor Fubara, signalling growing concern at the national level over the escalating crisis in the oil-rich state.
In a church address, Fubara appealed for calm, urging political actors to exercise restraint and place the interest of Rivers State above partisan considerations.
He has denied wrongdoing and insisted that constitutional processes and dialogue remain the best path to resolving the dispute.
With divisions still evident within the 26-member Assembly, analysts say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the impeachment effort gathers momentum or gives way to negotiations aimed at easing tensions and restoring political stability in Rivers State.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
