Rivers-based activist Jake Epelle has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating that any attempt to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara will not succeed. Epelle made this declaration during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, on Thursday.
Epelle cautioned Wike against issuing impeachment threats against Fubara, emphasizing that the former governor cannot advocate for peace while simultaneously encouraging his loyalists in the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly to move against the governor. He asserted that Fubara has not committed any impeachable offense and enjoys the support of the people of Rivers State.
“Let them go and try impeachment, they will not succeed. Nobody will impeach Fubara. I say that openly on national television because he hasn’t committed any impeachable offence. Nobody will impeach him; the people are solidly behind him,” Epelle stated.
He further stressed that the people of Rivers State are committed to standing behind Fubara and defending democracy. “Will anything happen if he is impeached? No; the Rivers people are not troublesome the way we are painted, but we will stand behind him (Fubara) and stand behind democracy. If we don’t stem the tide of this chaos, it can happen to any other person. This threat of impeachment going round should stop,” he added.
The activist’s comments come amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State. Recall that Governor Fubara was denied access to the State House of Assembly quarters on Wednesday, where lawmakers currently hold plenary sessions. Fubara claimed he had informed Speaker Martins Amaewhule of his visit, but the Assembly denied receiving any prior communication.
Epelle criticized the Assembly for embarrassing the governor and failing to commit to peace. He also blamed Wike for exacerbating the situation with his impeachment threats, noting that the FCT minister lacks the constitutional authority to impeach a governor.
“Wike doesn’t have the constitutional power to impeach a governor. He can call for impeachment (but) he is not a member of the State Assembly. He has the right in his personal opinion to call for his (Fubara’s) impeachment, but the people that will execute the impeachment are members of the State Assembly. Is there anybody beating the drum for the masquerade that is dancing? Of course, there is,” Epelle said.
He also hinted at external interference, alleging that Assembly members received a call from Abuja instructing them not to meet with the governor. “I was told that at the point the governor was coming to the gate, they (Assembly members) received a call from Abuja (whoever made that call, I don’t know), that they shouldn’t see the governor,” he revealed.
Epelle’s remarks highlight the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, with calls for restraint and a focus on democratic principles to resolve the ongoing tensions. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to ensure stability in the state.
