A leading civic advocacy group has declared that the impeachment proceedings initiated against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, lack a solid constitutional foundation. The Good Governance Advocacy Centre (GGAC) stated this after conducting an independent review of the case.
Forensic Review Finds No Gross Misconduct
In a statement released on Thursday, GGAC detailed the findings of what it termed an independent forensic review of the impeachment notice and related allegations from the Rivers State House of Assembly. The organisation, represented by its country representative, Dr Zaccheus Ocha, scrutinised the notice, constitutional provisions, lawmaker documents, and public actions of the executive since the administration's inauguration.
The central conclusion was stark: the review found no evidence meeting the constitutional threshold of "gross misconduct" as stipulated in Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. GGAC argued that the allegations appeared weak, procedurally defective, and seemed driven more by political motives than by genuine constitutional breaches.
Several of the raised issues, according to the group, fall within the governor's legitimate discretionary powers and are not backed by any verifiable proof of wrongdoing.
Procedural Flaws and Political Undertones
GGAC raised significant concerns about the speed and process of initiating the impeachment. It highlighted procedural gaps, including what it called limited response time and a lack of meaningful dialogue efforts before triggering the process, which undermines principles of due process and fair hearing.
The organisation contextualised the crisis within the unresolved political tensions in Rivers State following the transition from the previous administration. It suggested the impeachment effort is part of a wider struggle for political control rather than a sincere accountability mechanism.
In this vein, GGAC referenced the long-standing political rift involving former governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. It stressed that its observations were based on patterns of political developments, not judicial determinations.
Warning and Calls for Restraint
The advocacy centre issued a strong warning, stating that using impeachment as a tool for political leverage risks undermining democratic stability not just in Rivers State, but across Nigeria. It warned that continued escalation could distract the state from governance and deepen uncertainty in a crucial economic region.
GGAC made several appeals to resolve the impasse. It called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to suspend the impeachment proceedings immediately. It urged political leaders, elders, and civil society to intervene through dialogue and mediation.
Furthermore, the group appealed to national democratic institutions to monitor the situation closely, emphasising that impeachment is an extraordinary measure that must be used strictly within legal confines.
The group's report emerges amidst heightened political tension following the Assembly's decision to commence proceedings against Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu, a move that has sparked diverse reactions. GGAC plans to make its full analytical report available to lawmakers, stakeholders, and the public, reiterating that transparency, restraint, and constitutional adherence are vital for preserving democratic order.
