Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have publicly called on their colleagues to step back from the ongoing impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The appeal for restraint was made during a press conference in Port Harcourt on 12 January 2026.
Lawmakers Call for Dialogue Over Confrontation
The legislators, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma State Constituency, who also serves as the Assembly’s Minority Leader, and Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema State Constituency, addressed journalists. They acknowledged that the House had indeed issued a formal notice of impeachment against the state's top executives.
Nwankwo stated that the serious nature of the impeachment proceedings had prompted deep reflection and wide consultations. He revealed that the decision to make a public appeal was heavily influenced by numerous interventions from respected elders and leaders both within and outside Rivers State.
"We have called this press conference to appeal to our fellow colleagues to temper justice with mercy," Nwankwo said. "We are appealing to the conscience of our colleagues after listening to so many pleas and calls from our elders and leaders begging for leniency."
Constitutional Breaches and the Path to Reconciliation
While both lawmakers admitted that Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu may have acted in ways that infringed on provisions of the Constitution, they argued that political wisdom and dialogue should take precedence.
"Even though the governor and the deputy governor may have infringed on the Constitution, we are appealing to our colleagues to reconsider our stand," Nwankwo emphasized, advocating for an amicable resolution outside the formal impeachment process.
Corroborating this stance, Hon. Peter Abbey highlighted the desire to prevent further escalation of political tension in the state. "Yes, the governor has infringed on parts of the Constitution, but we are human beings," Abbey stated. He added that they had received calls from political leaders and stakeholders across Nigeria, urging the Assembly to exercise caution.
A Plea for Cooperation from the Executive
Abbey made it clear that any peaceful settlement would require reciprocal action from the executive arm of government. He pointed out that the governor has a crucial role to play in ensuring stability.
"We plead with our colleagues to reconsider, provided the governor too has a role to play," Abbey explained. "He must ensure that he does not further infringe on the Constitution so that there can be an amicable settlement."
This appeal marks a significant development in the heightened political tension in Rivers State. It reflects growing concerns among various stakeholders about the need for dialogue and de-escalation to safeguard the state's stability and ensure continued governance.
