Rule of Law Under Threat If Rivers Impeachment Is Halted — Group
A pro-democracy group, Vanguard for Democracy and Peace, has warned that the rule of law in Rivers State would be gravely undermined if the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara is stalled.
The group described the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly as constitutional and lawful, insisting that any attempt to frustrate the process would amount to an assault on democratic governance.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Jackson Ibe said impeachment remains a legitimate legislative tool when constitutional breaches are alleged.
“The constitution must prevail over personalities. Halting this process would weaken democratic accountability and the principle of separation of powers,” Ibe said.
He said the impeachment move was prompted by alleged violations of the 1999 Constitution, including the governor’s failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly, which he described as a serious constitutional infraction amounting to gross misconduct.
The group noted that the Rivers Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule, had defended its action as a constitutional intervention aimed at restoring accountability and stability in the state.
According to Ibe, lawmakers had also accused the governor of budgetary violations, unauthorised withdrawals from state accounts and obstruction of legislative oversight, actions he said undermine transparency and fiscal discipline.
The group further alleged undue executive interference in procurement processes, sidelining of ministries and agencies, and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that such actions weaken oversight and suppress dissent.
Urging restraint and dialogue, the group advised Governor Fubara to pursue reconciliation rather than confrontation, warning that continued defiance of the legislature could lead to his removal.
It cautioned that any attempt to incapacitate the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties would be resisted by Nigerians committed to democracy.
The group stressed that Nigeria’s democracy can only function effectively when all arms of government operate strictly within the provisions of the constitution.
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