Rivers State elders, led by former governor Rufus Ada-George, have expressed strong disapproval of the ongoing attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The leaders also condemned the recent defection of 27 lawmakers from the state House of Assembly, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a communique signed by Ada-George, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe (the pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum), and 12 others, the elders voiced their concerns after an emergency meeting held on Sunday in Port Harcourt. The statement highlighted their displeasure at the lack of response from both Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, regarding letters seeking an audience with them to discuss the escalating political crisis in the state.
The elders characterized the recent events, including the explosion at the House of Assembly Complex on October 29, 2023, and the alleged attack on Governor Fubara by security agents on October 30, 2023, as embarrassing and dangerous.
The communique stated, “The attempt to impeach the Governor of Rivers State barely about six months in office without explaining to the good people of the state the reasons and infractions of law is unacceptable.”
Expressing their condemnation of violence and lawlessness in Rivers State, the elders demanded a thorough investigation into the crisis, with the perpetrators held accountable for their actions.
The Forum regretted the lack of response from both Governor Fubara and Chief Nyesom Wike to their letters, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the worsening political situation.
Furthermore, the Forum called on President Bola Tinubu to build on his earlier intervention and emphasized that the consequences of inaction may extend beyond Rivers State, impacting the Niger Delta region and the Federal Government at large.