By: Daure David
The political landscape in Rivers State has been thrown into turmoil following a Supreme Court ruling that intensified internal divisions within the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly. The new wave of discord stems from growing calls to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with sources indicating that the Assembly is now deeply divided over the matter.
Tensions within the Assembly came to a head during a recent plenary session, when a proposal to extend a 48-hour ultimatum against the governor took an unexpected turn. One lawmaker pushed for immediate impeachment proceedings, but his attempt was met with strong resistance, particularly from his colleague representing the Ijaw ethnic group, who vehemently opposed the move. This sparked a heated argument among the lawmakers, revealing the deepening rift within the assembly.
Adding fuel to the fire, another legislator, seemingly acting on instructions from an influential figure referred to as “Oga” – believed to be the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike – insisted that the Assembly must follow directives. Amid the escalating tensions, Amaewhule, the Speaker of the House, was forced to grant another 48-hour extension in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
However, the unrest did not subside. Five lawmakers, reportedly aligned with the FCT Minister, broke away after the plenary for a closed-door meeting, further stoking rumors of a deepening rift within the Assembly. Meanwhile, the remaining lawmakers, including several from the Ijaw extraction, expressed concerns that the impeachment bid was not merely an attempt to remove Governor Fubara but rather part of a larger political strategy to bolster the governorship ambitions of Martin Amaewhule, an Ikwerre son from Obio/Akpor.
The lawmakers from the Ijaw extraction strongly condemned the impeachment move, viewing it as a ploy to consolidate power and maintain control within the same political dynasty. They argued that the efforts to impeach Fubara were an orchestrated power grab, aimed at undermining the Ijaw people’s influence in the state’s governance.
As the political crisis continues to unfold, the people of Rivers State are closely monitoring the developments. With key political figures at odds and the fate of the governor hanging in the balance, the next moves by the Assembly members could determine the course of the state’s leadership. It remains to be seen who will ultimately “blink” first in this volatile political standoff.
