Court grants Gov. Fubara order restraining Rivers Assembly from carrying out impeachment
…Releases 122 protesters
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
A State High Court sitting in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Governnment Area of Rivers State has issued an interim injunction restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, House Clerk and the Chief Judge from carrying out any action that can lead to the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, pending determination of the motion on notice.
This follows the intervention of President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday to mediate between Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike.
The President’s intervention was disclosed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting presided over by the President at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) also disclosed that the opposition governors have resolved to work with the president because he has shown good faith by not interfering with gubernatorial cases brought before the courts by PDP members.
The peace moves followed the confirmation of Kayode Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector General of Police, IGP, by the council.
Meanwhile, the 122 protesters comprising mainly of youths arrested on Tuesday in Rivers State for protesting against the failed impeachment move of the Governor have been released on bail.
The 122 protesters, which included the National Youth President, Rivers State, Comrd Chijioke Ihunwo were arraigned before a Magistrate Court on 5-count charge of conspiracy, causing riot, damaging Speaker’s house gate, unlawful assemble and breach of public peace.
The accused were however granted bail with the sum of N100,000 each while Twenty sureties signed for the release of the accused persons.
The court adjourned to December 5th, 2023 for further hearing.
Similarly, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nysome Wike has boasted that no one can take over his political structure and that he can fight back against anyone fighting him unjustly.
Speaking during a meeting with Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Wike denied allegations of demanding a percentage of the state’s revenue from the current Governor.
He said, “About the rumours of money this and that, all that is rubbish. I just left office how many months ago? And I’m the FCT minister.
“But nobody can take away our political structure, no one. I have listened to them and for me, you cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you. Nobody does that.
“I hear they said I gave a limit of what he can do, I want 25 percent. These are ridiculous. I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure in Rivers state. I will not shut my eyes.”
Wike vowed not to allow anyone to take his political structure, noting that he could never be intimidated by anyone.
His words, “Let me thank my brothers and friends for this wonderful visit, just to appreciate Mr. President for giving me this position and we will continue to work for Mr. President to realise his renewed hope agenda.
“I have made it clear to everybody that I am not here for any party. I am here for the interest of Nigeria and the unity of the country. I am still a PDP member and I have never hidden my decision.
“They have talked about the crisis in Rivers state. Let me tell anybody who cares that nobody can intimidate me.
“It does not matter whether you go and bring thugs, or you say you are Ijaw. If I want to do something I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup, it is provided for under the Constitution.
“Forget about the Obedients and the Atikus, who have lost, who felt I did not support them, and those who revoke their C of O.
“‘Wike did this, Wike did that’ because I did not support their presidential candidates. All those things I am not perturbed, I will only do what is right.
“The President is our father, he has spoken. We will see where it takes us. But no amount of propaganda; my conscience is clear nobody can rubbish me.
“I am not a person you can go to social media and say all kinds of things and you go free. So be careful I can fight back.”
