Rivers State Governor Faces Impeachment After Security Attack
The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated the impeachment process against the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, following an alleged attack by security operatives on Monday morning.
The governor was reportedly on his way to the government house when he was ambushed by armed men in military uniforms, who opened fire on his convoy. The governor escaped unhurt, but some of his aides and security personnel were injured in the incident.
The governor accused the federal government of masterminding the attack, saying it was an attempt to silence him for speaking out against injustice and corruption in the country. He also claimed that the federal government was behind the impeachment plot, which he described as a coup d’etat.
However, the state house of assembly denied any external influence in their decision to impeach the governor. They said they had received several petitions from the people of Rivers State, accusing the governor of gross misconduct, abuse of power, and misappropriation of funds.
According to reports, 24 out of the 32 members of the state house of assembly signed the impeachment notice against the governor. The notice was read by the speaker of the house, Chidi Nwankwo, at an emergency sitting on Monday morning.
The speaker said the house had resolved to investigate the allegations against the governor and give him a fair hearing. He said the house would also invite the chief judge of the state to constitute a panel of inquiry to look into the matter.
The impeachment process is expected to last for 14 days, according to the constitution. If the panel finds the governor guilty of any of the charges, he will be removed from office and his deputy will take over.
The governor has not reacted to the impeachment notice as at the time of filing this report. He is said to be in a secure location with his loyalists, planning his next move.
