“You can’t impeach Fubara” — PDP challenges Rivers Assembly

The Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the 27 lawmakers of the Assembly who are threatening to impeach Governor Siminilayi Fubara.

The PDP stated that the lawmakers simply don’t have the authority to carry out their threat, asserting that these lawmakers lack the legitimacy to proceed with their plans.

Gistreel reports that over the weekend, the lawmakers made it clear that they are prepared to initiate a new impeachment process against the governor if he continues to violate the Constitution of Nigeria and the laws of the state.

The lawmakers in a statement read by their Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, said: “They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort. So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.

“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our father land and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our Constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State. 

“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions”.

But PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Sydney Tambari Gbara, asked the lawmakers to stop disturbing the peace of the state and allow the court to determine their legitimacy.

Gbara, in response to the lawmakers, urged them to consider their legitimacy in light of Section 109 of the Nigerian Constitution. This section pertains to their defections from the PDP to the APC.

He said they should bury their heads in shame lamenting that while other state Houses of Assembly were  making laws for the good governance of their respective states, they were  busy making frantic efforts to destroy the state and frustrate orders.

He said: “You have several cases querying your legality in courts, why are you running away from them? You are here constituting public nuisance, engaging in  illegal assembly, taking illegal decisions and making illegal laws, knowing full well that you no longer represent your constituents. 

“If you want to know what Rivers people think about you go to streets and ask questions. You are an illegal assembly and your laws are inconsequential to Rivers people”

Gbara said that the founding fathers of the state would be crying that a group of young people had decided to be used as agents of destabilisation of their state, the government and it’s people.

He warned that posterity would not be kind to them for choosing the path of destruction rather than peace and reconciliation.