Mohammed Shosanya
Twenty four lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule as Speaker on Wednesday withdrew their impeachment process on the Governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had on October 30 attempted an impeachment on the state Goveror, sparking a leadership tussle in the state assembly.
Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and Rt. Hon Ehie Edison had been at loggerheads over the speakership of the house.
Four lawmakers loyal to the Governer following the failed impeachment attempt, convened and impeached Amaewhule from the position of the Speaker and elected Edison the new Speaker.
This was as a State High Court presided over by Justice M.W. Danagogo recently recognised Edison as the authentic Speaker of the House.
A statement signed by Martins Wachukwu, Media aide to the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, stated that the lawmakers took the decision at a plenary held at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters in Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The statement said the move was in pursuance to the truce between Governor Fubara, Nyesom Wike and the Martin Amaewhule led lawmakers brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 18 in Abuja.
According to the statement, . Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, while reading a letter on the floor of the House, signed by 24 Members, recalled that on October 30, 2023 a notice of impeachment signed by 24 Members of the House pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as altered was read by him, accusing the Governor of gross misconduct.
Amaewhule emphasised the lawmakers following their immense respect for the president, decided to abide by the terms of agreement he brokered without delay, adding that the House would continue to perform its constitutional functions of law making and oversight for the development of the State.
The statement noted that the House considered further Report of the Adhoc Committee on the Aleto Oil Spill, recalled that in August, 2023 the Committee submitted its Report on an oil spill in Aleto community caused by equipment failure.
Commenting on the report, Amaewhule commended the Committee for following up the Resolutions of the House on the initial Report and urged the Committee to continue and ensure that proper and full remediation is effected.
