Governor Fubara Pledges Cooperation with Rivers Assembly After Impeachment Threat Subsides

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared his readiness to work with the State House of Assembly following the resolution of the political crisis that nearly led to his impeachment earlier this year.

The Governor made the commitment during a statewide broadcast, signalling a potential thaw in the frosty relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in the oil-rich South-South state.

The political standoff, which had plunged Rivers State into months of uncertainty, centred on a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Federal Capital Territory Minister. The crisis saw 27 lawmakers defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, threatening the Governor's grip on power.

Fubara's impeachment appeared imminent in December 2023 when the Assembly served him with a notice of gross misconduct. However, the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders led to a peace accord that temporarily halted the impeachment proceedings.

In his address, the Governor acknowledged the challenges faced by the state during the crisis and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and other mediators who helped broker the truce. He called on all Rivers people to unite for the development of the state.

The Governor specifically pledged to implement the terms of the peace agreement reached at the Presidential Villa, including the representation of all interests in government appointments and the recognition of the Assembly's legislative authority.

Political analysts remain cautious about the durability of the reconciliation, noting that the underlying power dynamics that fuelled the crisis have not been fully resolved. The relationship between Fubara and Wike, in particular, continues to be a subject of intense speculation.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has yet to formally respond to the Governor's overture. However, sources within the Assembly suggest that lawmakers are monitoring the Governor's actions to determine whether the peace offer is genuine.

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have welcomed the development, expressing hope that political stability will enable the state government to focus on infrastructure development, security, and economic growth in one of Nigeria's most resource-endowed regions.