PORT HARCOURT: Amid rising political tension in Rivers State, two members of the House of Assembly have appealed for restraint over the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Nma Odu, urging their colleagues to halt the process and explore dialogue as a means of resolving the crisis.
The appeal was made on Monday in Port Harcourt by the House Majority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, and the lawmaker representing Degema Constituency, Peter Abbey, during a joint briefing with journalists.
Both lawmakers are among the 26 legislators who unanimously endorsed the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy.
Nwankwo called on fellow lawmakers to temper justice with mercy, explaining that sustained interventions from political leaders, community stakeholders and constituents had prompted a reassessment of the situation.
While acknowledging that the impeachment notice was collectively issued, he argued that the prevailing circumstances now required patience and engagement rather than further escalation.
According to him, the differences that led to the impeachment move could still be addressed through dialogue, and he appealed to the Assembly to suspend further action in the interest of peace and stability in the state.
Abbey similarly appealed for calm, stressing the need to prioritise harmonious governance.
Although he acknowledged that the governor and his deputy were accused of constitutional infractions, he maintained that discontinuing the impeachment process would create room for reconciliation and improved adherence to the rule of law.
Both lawmakers urged their colleagues to consider the broader implications of the impeachment and to embrace leniency as a pathway to restoring cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
