The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum has strongly condemned the recent impeachment notice served on Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, warning that the action risks further destabilizing the state.
In a press statement issued on January 9, and signed by His Excellency, Alabo Dr. G. T. G. Toby, KSC, DSSRS, JP, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Acting Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum, the forum described the impeachment process as a “serious constitutional process” that should not be wielded as a weapon for “political vendettas or factional struggles.” They criticized the grounds for the notice as “disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight,” suggesting the move is motivated by “narrow personal interests” rather than a commitment to good governance.
The forum emphasized that Governor Fubara’s mandate was “freely given by the people of Rivers State” and can only be challenged through strict adherence to constitutional provisions, due process, and “clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.”
Highlighting the potential fallout, the elders cautioned that pursuing the impeachment could deepen political divisions, erode public trust in democratic institutions, and exacerbate instability in a state still recovering from recent disruptions under emergency rule.
“Our people continue to bear the consequences of that episode, and this development, so early in the year, risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed,” the statement read.
The forum urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to “immediately retrace its steps” and prioritize the “collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State” over partisan or personal agendas.
Reaffirming their dedication to “peace, unity, justice, and constitutional democracy,” the elders vowed to speak out against any threats to the state’s stability, dignity, and future. “Let wise counsel prevail. Let Rivers State heal. Let Rivers State move forward,” they concluded.
This development comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
