The impeachment process against Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has been denounced by the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR), which has cautioned lawmakers not to interpret the people’s patience as weakness.
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were warned by the group not to try to force or intimidate the governor and his deputy into acting against the interests of the people.
Omenazu Jackson, the organization’s chancellor, called the impeachment attempt an obvious abuse of legislative authority, anti-democratic, and constitutionally reckless in a statement released in Port Harcourt.
Jackson emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional process that is strictly governed by law, especially Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which calls for full compliance with due process and verified accusations of egregious misconduct.
“The Constitution requires clear allegations of gross misconduct, due process, fair hearing, legislative quorum, judicial panel investigation and strict procedural compliance. Any deviation renders such impeachment null, void and unconstitutional,” he said.
He also cited Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution, which establish the doctrine of separation of powers, noting that no arm of government is permitted to dominate or coerce another.
“The legislature cannot lawfully intimidate or harass the executive into surrendering its constitutional mandate or policy direction outside the confines of the law,” Jackson added.
He urged both the executive and legislative arms of government to exercise restraint and remain faithful to constitutional provisions, emphasizing that harmony between the two is essential for good governance, peace and development in the state.
While reiterating support for constitutional order, Jackson warned that Governor Fubara must not be intimidated into acting against the will of the people, stressing that any such attempt would be legally resisted.
“The governor of Rivers State cannot be coerced or intimidated into acting against the overall interest of the electorate, as his mandate flows directly from the people,” he said.
According to ISSJHR, any impeachment effort disconnected from the genuine will of the people amounts to an assault on popular sovereignty and democratic legitimacy.
The group cautioned what it described as crisis merchants, political opportunists and constitutional saboteurs to desist from actions capable of plunging Rivers State into instability.
“They must be mindful of the lawful resistance of an electorate whose socioeconomic existence is threatened by this ill-conceived, vindictive and illegitimate impeachment attempt,” Jackson warned.
He concluded that any attempt to remove the governor outside the clear provisions of the Constitution would be stoutly and lawfully resisted by the people using all democratic and legal means available within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.