By BANNERNEWS Reporter
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, embattled by prolonged political tensions since assuming office over two years ago, has dismissed those driving his travails as “dogs,” insisting that God remains on his side.
The governor’s remarks came amid renewed impeachment moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which last week issued a fresh notice of impeachment against him for the third time in three years.
Fubara spoke on Sunday at an Inter-Denominational Church Service marking this year’s Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
He told the congregation that despite persistent distractions, the “Supreme God” would grant Rivers State peace and ultimately conquer all forces working against his administration.
In an apparent swipe at some lawmakers and his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the governor mocked his critics as noisy but confused.
“Dogs bark when they do not understand,” Fubara said, stressing that he had chosen not to complain because of his faith in God.
“What is important in this our dear state is peace, and we will get it,” he added, urging residents to remain calm.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has doubled down on the impeachment process, warning against what it described as plots to use the judiciary to derail its constitutional duties.
The Assembly alleged on Sunday that certain individuals linked to the executive arm were seeking to procure ex parte court orders from a state High Court to halt impeachment proceedings.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, said any such move would amount to a subversion of the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement, George cited Section 188(10) of the Constitution, which provides that impeachment proceedings or determinations by a House of Assembly shall not be entertained or questioned by any court.
He also referenced Section 272(3), which vests jurisdiction on matters relating to the tenure of a governor or deputy governor in the appropriate constitutional framework, not through interlocutory court orders.
George said the Assembly had intelligence that attempts were being made to obtain ex parte orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to stop lawmakers from carrying out their functions.
Such efforts, he said, were “dead on arrival,” noting that similar actions had recently been faulted by the Court of Appeal in related cases.
The lawmaker urged Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, who have been served notices of allegations of gross misconduct, to respond to the charges item by item instead of pursuing what he described as “subterranean moves.”
“The impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy are still on course,” George declared, adding that the Assembly would not be distracted by media attacks or legal manoeuvres.
He called on all actors to exercise restraint, respect the Constitution and uphold the rule of law, insisting that the House remained committed to its constitutional mandate.
“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law,” George said, while praying for peace in Rivers State and the country at large.
