Two lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn from the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Ngozi Odu, his deputy.
Sylvanus Nwankwo, minority leader and member representing Omuma state constituency, and Peter Abbey, member for Degema constituency, announced the decision at a press conference on Monday.
The duo said that the decision followed consultations with party elders, while urging the assembly to reconsider its impeachment proceedings.
They said their decision was influenced by appeals from “our elders and leaders”, who called for leniency.
“Rivers State issued a notice of impeachment on Governor Fubara and his Deputy. We appeal to our fellow colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how we can solve this matter without the impeachment proceedings,” they said.
“Having listened to so many calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, we are begging our colleagues to reconsider our steps and see how this matter can be resolved amicably even though the governor and his deputy have infringed on the Constitution.”
Recall that The Witness reports that the Rivers assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
The impeachment notice was endorsed by 26 lawmakers of the Rivers assembly.
Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers assembly, accused the governor and his deputy of actions he said posed a threat to democracy.
Amaewhule also criticised Fubara for allegedly failing to present the state budget in accordance with constitutional requirements.
