Several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have withdrawn the impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. These lawmakers, who were believed to be loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, withdrew the impeachment notice during their sitting on Wednesday, December 20th. They stated that the withdrawal complied with the directive contained in the resolution agreed upon during a meeting of stakeholders with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Monday concerning the political crisis in Rivers State. The lawmakers added that the decision was made out of respect for the president.
In recent weeks, Rivers State has been embroiled in a political crisis between the former governor of the state, Wike, and his successor, Fubara. The feud has led to parallel sittings of the State House of Assembly members, an impeachment plot against the governor, the demolition of the Assembly complex, and the resignation of several pro-Wike commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet.
To resolve the conflict, President Bola Tinubu met with the parties involved, along with former governor of the state, Peter Odili. After a three-hour meeting at the Aso Villa in Abuja, a truce was brokered between Wike and Fubara. The warring parties agreed that all matters instituted in the courts by Fubara and his team be withdrawn immediately. Fubara, Wike, Amaewhule, and others involved in the crisis signed the agreement, with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also signing the document.