From Alice Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

 Political rumpus in Rivers State is becoming dirtier following rift between the predecessor who is presently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike and his successor the incumbent Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara.

 The political tension heightened with a move by the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence an impeachment proceeding against governor Fubara on Monday.  Fubara and Wike, who is said to be his godfather have been having a running battle over what could be described as overbearing control by the FCT Minister. Recall last month, there were indications that Fubara was said to have almost resigned but for the quick intervention of some Rivers Elders and Retd. Justice Mary Odili. Fubara was said to have switched off his phones and shut down other communication channels threatening to resign for over two weeks before the intervention of the elders. Our correspondent reports that twenty-four (24) lawmakers were said to have sat in the parliament amidst tight security around 6.00am on Monday to move a motion for the removal of the governor, as the busy Moscow Road where the assembly is situated was barricaded while the sitting lasted. There were also gunshots and tear gas canisters fired to prevent people, including the governor from accessing the State Assembly. At the sitting, the House of Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule resolved and directed the Clerk of the House to serve a Notice of Impeachment on the Governor. The House also impeached the Leader, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who is representing Ahoada Constituency two, and suspended four other Members: Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West; Hon. Adolphus Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro; and Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny constituency. It was learnt that the motion for Notice of Impeachment, was moved by a member, representing Omuma constituency, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo who said that the notice of impeachment was brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The lawmaker cited gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor as reasons for the impeachment. Meanwhile, it took resilience on the part of Fubara who was accompanied by some of his supporters to access the Assembly complex as security operatives attempted to stop him. Reacting to the incident, the governor regretted why someone would want to throw the state into another political crisis, recalling the incidents leading to the 2015 elections in the state. Fubara told journalists that he was at the Assembly to assess the level of damage done on the complex following the arson that occurred on Sunday night. According to the governor, it is unfortunate, the attempt by some disgruntled persons to forcefully take over control of the assembly and the impeachment moves against me. “The truth is that, everybody who knows me knows that I am a peaceful person. I can never ever, even if I am aware that there is a plot to impeach me for whatever reason, be part of such destruction. “I am worried that a facility like this that we used taxpayers’ money to build will be destroyed for selfish reasons just to please somebody. From what I have seen, even the security is compromised because they were shooting at me directly. The DC operations were shooting at me,” the governor emphasised. “Let it be on record, whoever masterminded the attack at the assembly is trying to divert attention. If Siminalayi Fubara is impeached, I won’t be the first, nor will I be the last. But what is important is that any attempt that is not justified will be resisted. Let them come out and tell Rivers people the offence that I have committed to warrant impeachment. “But my happiness this morning is that the people of Rivers State, represented by everyone here, are with us. I can go home and sleep. Let me assure Rivers people that we will continue to defend them, protect you people and ensure that they will enjoy the dividends of democracy,” governor Fubara lamented.Though it is not clear, the terms of the peace between the godfather and godson as brokered by the Rivers Elders and Mrs. Odili, it was gathered that the latest fight may not be unconnected to the appointment of some newly sworn-in commissioners by Fubara last week without the endorsement of the FCT Minister.Wike, who was the former governor of Rivers State between 2015 to 2019, singlehandedly handpicked Fubara, who was Accountant-General of the State, a decision that didn’t go down well with other politicians such as Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba, Chinyere Igwe, Abiye Sekibo, Senator George Sekibo, Farah Dagogo, who had interested in succeeding him. The former governor was then accused of allegedly handpicking Fubara, who never indicated interest in the governorship race, to cover up his dealings as governor of the state. The FCT Minister is alleged to decide on those to be appointed by Governor Fubara, from commissioners, Advisers, security, and down to domestic staff. This is evident as most of those who served in various political positions, except for those who fell out with him, are still part of the present cabinet chaired by Fubara. It is also alleged that Wike decides on what the governor says and does, including government policies and spending, a decision that has hampered the governor from taking steps that could propel economic development in the state.Though, information is still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, there are rumours that the governor might have removed the Chief judge of the Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, and suspended the twenty-three local government chairmen.Meanwhile, stakeholders of Riverine Ijaws have condemned the incident, saying any attempt to remove the governor, a riverine man will be resisted. One of such stakeholder, is elder statesman and former Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, who has called on President Bola Tinibu to call Wike to order. Clark in a statement personally signed by him, said the intention to impeach the governor and force his deputy to resign so as to pave way for the speaker, another Ikwerreman to rule the state after twelve years, will be resisted. The statement read: “I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers State in the last 24 hours. I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalaye Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office. “I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. And that the intention is to remove the Governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person as the governor of the State.Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen! “President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State. “Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt, in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the State. “The Governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the Assembly Complex after the incident, to assess the level of damage. We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all. “Rivers people have suffered enough political crises, the state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta Region by extension. The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the National Economy. “What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further “remote controlled”? Mr. Nyesom Wike was Governor for 8 years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an Emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015. “President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the Country at large. A word is enough for the wise!”