Rivers Assembly: Impeaching Fubara Wasn’t Possible Since Chief Judge Wasn’t On Their Side- Sara-Igbe

Former Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has argued that the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike could not have successfully impeached Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the political crisis because the Chief Judge of the state was not aligned with them.

In an interview with Symfoni TV, Sara-Igbe noted that President Bola Tinubu may have declared a state of emergency because of the hostile posture of the Assembly towards Governor Fubara.

He explained that such hostility created the possibility of impeachment moves, which could have thrown the state into deeper conflict. However, he stressed that the absence of support from the Chief Judge would have made the impeachment bid impossible.

Sara-Igbe commended efforts by elder statesmen, including former governor Rufus Ada George and Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, who led peace initiatives that eventually restored calm. He said Governor Fubara also demonstrated a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, which created an opening for peace to return to the state.

Sara-Igbe criticized the president’s decision to impose emergency rule, pointing out that Rivers State remained largely peaceful compared to insecurity-prone states such as Borno, Benue, Zamfara, and Plateau.

In his words, “I don’t know the essence of the emergency declaration but at a wiser look, maybe the way things were going between the House of Assembly and the Governor, if the President did not declare the state of emergency, the House of Assembly may make an effort to impeach the Governor.”

“Of course, that was not possible because the Chief Judge was not on their side. But if that materializes, you are likely going to get violence in the state and Mr. President, in his wisdom, maybe saw that as a reason for the state of emergency.”