The Rivers State House of Assembly has insisted that impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara will continue, with lawmakers arguing that repeated alleged violations of the law have left no room for further political intervention, even from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The position was stated on Thursday by the Assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. George said the political crisis in Rivers State has moved beyond reconciliation and that the impeachment process is now firmly grounded in constitutional and legal considerations.
According to George, President Tinubu had previously invested significant effort in brokering peace between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He said that intervention was meant to restore stability and ensure adherence to agreed terms by all parties.
However, the lawmaker claimed that the governor has repeatedly breached the understanding reached during the reconciliation process. He accused Fubara of reneging on commitments made under the peace agreement.
George argued that the continued actions of the governor have undermined previous political solutions. He said lawmakers could no longer justify relying on political settlements when, in their view, the same alleged offences keep recurring.
He alleged that Governor Fubara has consistently treated public funds without due regard for constitutional limits. According to him, the governor has acted as though state resources were personal funds, an accusation he said lawmakers could not ignore.
The Assembly spokesperson stressed that impeachment is not being pursued for political reasons. He maintained that the process is rooted in the law and the constitution, rather than partisan interests.
George said that even political considerations must operate within legal boundaries. He argued that no elected official is above the constitution, regardless of political influence or alliances.
He warned that breaching constitutional provisions carries consequences that cannot be avoided through political negotiations. According to him, lawmakers have a responsibility to uphold the law when they believe it has been violated.
George also suggested that President Tinubu would feel personally disrespected by the unfolding situation in Rivers State. He said the President had gone through considerable effort to bring all stakeholders together to broker peace.
According to the lawmaker, that effort has now been undermined by the governor’s alleged failure to honour the agreement. He said this development diminishes the value of the President’s intervention.
George stated that it would be unrealistic to expect President Tinubu to intervene again under the same circumstances. He said repeated breaches of the law cannot be excused by appeals to political solutions.
He insisted that the impeachment process is now inevitable if the Assembly concludes that constitutional violations have occurred. He said lawmakers would not abandon their duties because of political pressure.
The lawmaker dismissed claims that the impeachment move was aimed at embarrassing the President or destabilising the state. Instead, he said the Assembly was acting within its constitutional mandate.
George added that allowing alleged constitutional breaches to go unaddressed would weaken democratic institutions. He warned that failing to act could set a precedent that encourages impunity in governance.
He maintained that the Assembly’s actions are intended to protect the rule of law in Rivers State. According to him, adherence to constitutional provisions is essential for maintaining public trust in government.
The spokesperson reiterated that the Assembly has exhausted political options. He said repeated dialogue and reconciliation efforts had failed to produce lasting compliance.
George concluded by saying that Governor Fubara cannot continue to break the law and expect to be rescued by presidential intervention. He stressed that accountability must take precedence over political considerations.
The comments come amid growing political tension in Rivers State, as impeachment proceedings against the governor continue to generate sharp reactions from different political groups. The situation remains fluid as lawmakers press ahead with the process despite calls from some quarters for restraint and renewed dialogue.
