The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has warned the 27 lawmakers of the state Assembly threatening to impeach Governor Siminilayi Fubara that they lack the legitimacy to execute their threat.
At the weekend, the lawmakers said they would not hesitate to commence a fresh impeachment proceeding against the governor if he continued to allegedly violate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the laws of the state.
The lawmakers, whose position statement was read by their Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, said: “They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort. So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.
“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our father land and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our Constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.
“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions”.
But PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Sydney Tambari Gbara, asked the lawmakers to stop disturbing the peace of the state and allow the court to determine their legitimacy.
Gbara urged the lawmakers to address their legitimacy question in the light of Section 109 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended following their defections from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said they should bury their heads in shame lamenting that while other state Houses of Assembly were making laws for the good governance of their respective states, they were busy making frantic efforts to destroy the state and frustrate orders.
He said: “You have several cases querying your legality in courts, why are you running away from them? You are here constituting public nuisance, engaging in illegal assembly, taking illegal decisions and making illegal laws, knowing full well that you no longer represent your constituents.
“If you want to know what Rivers people think about you go to streets and ask questions. You are an illegal assembly and your laws are inconsequential to Rivers people”.
Gbara said that the founding fathers of the state would be crying that a group of young people had decided to be used as agents of destabilisation of their state, the government and it’s people.
He warned that posterity would not be kind to them for choosing the path of destruction rather than peace and reconciliation.
Gbara also responded to claims of non implementation of the eight Point Peace Accord by Tony Okocha.
He said: “Although we are not holding brief for the state government, as a party, let me tell Tony Okocha that Governor Siminialayi Fubara has in his desire to further deepen peace in the state implemented the Peace Accord and in accordance with our laws.
“So, your attempt to try to stampede Governor Fubara into taking unconstitutional actions is like blowing hot air”.