Two additional lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the ongoing impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu.
The appeal was made by Mr Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Mr Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, coming just two days after similar calls by two other legislators who advised caution and dialogue instead of impeachment.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo and Mr Peter Abbey had publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment process, urging the Assembly to manage the disagreement with patience and mutual understanding.
They proposed alternative approaches to resolving the crisis, suggesting that reconciliation remained possible despite rising tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The lawmakers made their position known during a press briefing held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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Addressing journalists, Mr Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, disclosed that appeals for restraint had been received from prominent figures both within and outside Rivers State.
He called on fellow legislators to step back from impeachment proceedings and instead pursue peaceful means of settling the dispute.
In his remarks, Mr Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, admitted that the governor might have acted in ways that contravened constitutional provisions, but emphasised that errors were sometimes unavoidable.
He added that Governor Fubara must also take responsibility by ensuring that such actions were not repeated going forward.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had, on Janaury 8, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ms Odu, over gross misconduct.
The move was announced during a plenary session last Thursday, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr Martins Amaewhule, and broadcast live on Channels Television. During the session, the Majority Leader, Mr Major Jack, formally presented the notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against the governor.
A total of 26 lawmakers endorsed the notice, which they said was issued in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Speaking during the sitting, Mr Amaewhule stated that the notice of allegations would be served on Governor Fubara within the next 7 days.
In a similar development, the Deputy Majority Leader, Ms Linda Stewart, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, Ms Ngozi Odu.
