The political crisis in Rivers State has intensified as the State House of Assembly raised an alarm over alleged plots to use the judiciary to halt impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, just as prominent stakeholders, including Alhaji Asari Dokubo, warned against any move to remove the Governor.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Rivers State House of Assembly claimed it had uncovered secret plots by certain individuals to procure exparte orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to stop lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.

Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, warned that such moves were unconstitutional.

He cited Section 272(3) of the Constitution, arguing that the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine if a member’s seat has become vacant, and Section 188(10), which ousts the jurisdiction of courts in impeachment proceedings.

“We call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution… All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct to respond to them item by item rather than deploy subterranean moves,” the statement read.

Also, former agitator and Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, King Asari Dokubo, has thrown his weight behind Governor Fubara, insisting he must complete two terms of eight years like his predecessors.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Dokubo warned that impeachment could destabilize the state.

“Tinubu is my friend and I will give him my 100% support, but Siminalayi Fubara is my Ijaw brother and I will stand with him,” Dokubo declared, urging President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to order.

The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought (CORSLOT), led by High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, also condemned the impeachment notice as “political banditry.

The group argued that the allegations against the Governor are spurious and criticized the Assembly for allegedly acting the script of external political interests rather than prioritizing the welfare of Rivers people.

CORSLOT noted that the inclusion of Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu in this third impeachment attempt exposes a sinister motive and warned that the persistent hostility is damaging investor confidence in the state.