Two additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to discontinue the impeachment process initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made the call amid rising political tension within the Assembly.
Their appeal comes just two days after two other lawmakers publicly urged the House to abandon the impeachment move. With the latest development, four of the 26 lawmakers who initially endorsed the notice alleging gross misconduct have now withdrawn their support, signalling growing internal pressure for dialogue rather than confrontation.
Those who earlier reversed their stance include Hon. Sylvanus Enyi Nwankwo, the Minority Leader representing Omuma State Constituency, and Hon. Peter Abi of Degema State Constituency. The lawmakers warned that continuing with the impeachment could further destabilise the state and urged their colleagues to exercise restraint.
The call was made during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, captured in a video that has since gone viral. In the footage, the legislators appealed to members of the Assembly to temper justice with mercy and seek an amicable resolution to the crisis.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo identified himself as the Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly, while Abi also confirmed his representation of Degema State Constituency. Both lawmakers said the briefing was convened to formally appeal to their colleagues to reconsider the impeachment notice already issued against the governor and his deputy.
They disclosed that appeals from elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State influenced their decision to step back from the impeachment process.
According to them, the calls for leniency prompted a reassessment of the situation, with a renewed push to resolve the matter through dialogue, even as they acknowledged concerns about constitutional issues.
The lawmakers stressed the need for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the political crisis currently rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.
