A civil society organisation, Vanguard for Democracy and Peace, has thrown its weight behind the impeachment drive targeting Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, insisting the process is firmly rooted in the constitution.
The group maintained that the steps taken by the Rivers State House of Assembly amount to a lawful remedy to alleged violations of the 1999 Constitution, describing the unfolding drama as due process at work rather than political witch-hunt.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Jackson Ibe, reacted to the renewed impeachment proceedings, saying the lawmakers were merely activating constitutional safeguards.
Ibe accused the governor of crossing a red line by allegedly failing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the House of Assembly, an omission he said struck at the heart of democratic governance.
According to him, such an act constitutes gross misconduct and provides adequate constitutional grounds for impeachment, noting that budget presentation is not a favour but a binding obligation.
He said the House of Assembly, under the leadership of Hon. Martin Amaewhule, had correctly framed the impeachment move as a constitutional intervention designed to rebuild accountability, restore stability and renew public trust in governance.
The group argued that whenever the executive arm shuts the door of accountability against the people’s representatives, it amounts to a constitutional infraction that must be confronted through lawful channels, impeachment inclusive.
It urged the lawmakers to remain resolute, stressing that in a democracy, the constitution must stand tall above personal power and political ego.
“Where there are no checks and balances, both the state and the country drift towards chaos,” Ibe warned.
The group recalled earlier accusations by Rivers lawmakers that the governor engaged in repeated budgetary breaches, unauthorised withdrawals and deliberate obstruction of legislative oversight.
It noted that such actions, if left unchecked, would corrode transparency, weaken fiscal discipline and hollow out the Assembly’s constitutional duty to protect public funds.
The organisation also criticised alleged executive conduct it said involved marginalising ministries and agencies, mounting pressure on procurement systems and punishing whistleblowers, thereby breeding a climate of fear.
According to the group, this atmosphere stifles dissent, blocks lawful access to public records and cripples procurement oversight, leaving governance limping on one leg.
Appealing for reason over raw sentiment, the group insisted that regardless of who occupies the office, any constitutional breach by the executive must invite legislative action.
It added that the governor appeared more disposed to political combat than constructive dialogue with key stakeholders, warning that continued defiance could hasten his exit through constitutional means.
The group further cautioned that any attempt to obstruct the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its lawful duties would attract stiff resistance from Nigerians, stressing that good governance thrives only when all arms of government stay within the constitutional lane.
