APC Governors Remain Calm Amid Rivers Political Crisis
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has publicly addressed growing concerns regarding the political turmoil in Rivers State, specifically the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a significant statement, Governor Sule revealed that governors elected under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are not losing sleep over the situation, emphasizing that the matter is firmly within the jurisdiction of the courts.
Legal Process Governs Impeachment Discussions
Governor Sule made these remarks during a recent appearance on a Channels Television programme, where he was questioned about whether APC governors were anxious about the potential removal of one of their colleagues from office. He explained that the impeachment process is strictly governed by established legal frameworks and due process, which provides a structured mechanism for resolving such political disputes.
"I'm not worried because I think it's an issue of the court," Governor Sule stated. "I am not worried about anybody impeaching anyone. You don't just wake up and impeach somebody without going through the due process."
While acknowledging that governors are naturally concerned about developments affecting their fellow state executives, Sule assured that there is no cause for alarm. His comments come at a critical juncture in Nigerian politics, where inter-party and intra-party tensions often escalate into constitutional crises.
Court Proceedings Shape Political Landscape
Governor Sule's position follows closely on the heels of significant judicial developments in the Rivers State impeachment saga. The Oyigbo High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, recently announced an indefinite adjournment of the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu. The legal challenge aims to contest the impeachment processes initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Florence Fiberesima, presiding over the case, suspended proceedings to allow the Court of Appeal to determine the matter. This decision came after proof was established that two separate appeals had been entered regarding the impeachment proceedings. The defendants in the case include Speaker Martin Amaewhule, 26 other members of the House, and the Clerk of the House.
Judicial Restraints on Impeachment Moves
Earlier judicial interventions have already placed significant constraints on the impeachment process. The same court had issued an interim injunction against Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 32 others, including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State. This order specifically restrained the Speaker and other defendants from forwarding articles of impeachment or related documents to the Chief Judge with the intention of establishing an investigative panel.
The court further restrained Chief Judge Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi from receiving, considering, or acting on any impeachment-related requests, resolutions, or documents from the defendants for a period of seven days. These judicial measures have effectively put the brakes on immediate impeachment actions, creating space for legal due process to unfold.
Broader Political Context and Security Concerns
The impeachment proceedings occur against a backdrop of heightened political tensions between Governor Fubara and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. These tensions have occasionally spilled over into security concerns, with recent allegations of an assassination plot against Minister Wike prompting police investigations.
Governor Fubara's ally, Tammy Danagogo, has been invited by police authorities following leaked telephone conversations allegedly discussing the hiring of an Israeli national for assassination purposes. While these allegations remain unproven, they contribute to the charged political atmosphere surrounding the impeachment proceedings.
Governor Abdullahi Sule's calm assessment of the situation reflects a broader understanding among APC governors that constitutional processes must be allowed to run their course. His emphasis on legal due process rather than political maneuvering suggests a maturing approach to political conflicts within Nigeria's democratic framework.
As the courts continue to deliberate on the Rivers State impeachment matter, political observers will be watching closely to see how constitutional provisions balance against political interests. The outcome could set important precedents for how similar political disputes are handled in Nigeria's evolving democracy.
