‘Put welfare of Rivers people first’, Fubara Gov’t begs Assembly as impeachment plot thickens

The Rivers State Government has called on the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) to reconsider its stance and put the welfare of the people first to prevent further crises in the state.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, made this appeal during a news conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, stressing that a change of course by the lawmakers would help avoid unnecessary suffering and instability.

The RSHA had earlier issued a gross misconduct notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, signaling the possibility of their impeachment.

However, Johnson condemned the lawmakers’ refusal to allow the governor to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, despite a Supreme Court directive.

“Governor Fubara has demonstrated his preparedness and willingness to re-present the 2025 budget and fully implement all aspects of the controversial Supreme Court ruling. His commitment to this process is solely for the sake of peace,” Johnson stated.

He condemned the Assembly for misrepresenting the governor, portraying him as unwilling to comply with the court’s ruling, and warned that their actions could lead to severe consequences for the state.

“If this opportunity to pull the state from the precipice fails, the people and residents, without exception, will suffer avoidable calamities. The state could face economic, social, and political upheavals that might sink us deeper into unimaginable crises,” he cautioned.

Johnson also lamented the Supreme Court’s directive for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold Rivers State’s revenue allocations, saying it had crippled government operations.

“Withholding revenues due to the state will paralyze government operations. The government will be unable to pay civil servants, retirees, and other workers their salaries, pensions, and emoluments,” he added.

He urged the lawmakers to prioritize stability and ensure that the state does not plunge into deeper economic and political turmoil.