Move To Impeach Gov Fubara Driven By Narrow Personal Interests Rather Than Genuine Concern For Good Governance – Rivers Elders

The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum (RELF) has faulted the move by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma, saying its being driven by narrow personal interests eather than genuine concern for good governance

In a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt and signed by its Acting Chairman, Dr. Gabriel Toby, a former Deputy Governor of the state, the elders condemned the impeachment process, slammig the reasons given by the lawmakers as disturbingly weak and lacking constitutional weight.

Dr. Toby noted that impeachment is a grave constitutional process and should not be reduced to a tool for political vendetta or factional battles.

“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process, not a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles. The reasons so far advanced in support of this action are disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight. They appear driven by narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance,” he said.

 He reminded the lawmakers that Governor Fubara has a mandate that was freely given by Rivers people, and can only be challenged in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Dr. Toby warned that the path being taken by the House of Assembly could further deepen the political crisis in the state, noting that Rivers State is yet to fully recover from the emergency rule previously imposed before the impeachment proceedings were resumed.

He urged the lawmakers to retrace their steps and prioritise the peace, unity, and development of the state over personal or partisan ambitions.

“We warn that the current course of action risks deepening political divisions, eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilising an already fragile polity,” he said.

The elders therefore asked Assembly members to immediately halt the impeachment process and place the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all other considerations.