By Maryjane Austine
INC, Rivers Elders Condemn Assembly’s Impeachment Move
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and prominent Rivers State elders have criticised members of the Rivers State House of Assembly over ongoing impeachment moves, describing the process as driven by personal ambition rather than democratic principles.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Sunday, INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, said the actions of some lawmakers amounted to betrayal and would ultimately fail due to public opposition within and outside the state.
Okaba said the impeachment effort was widely perceived as an act of vendetta rather than a step aimed at strengthening democracy or governance. He faulted lawmakers who initially withdrew from the process but reversed their decision within 48 hours, describing the shift as evidence of a lack of principles.
He also dismissed claims that Ijaw lawmakers backing the impeachment were acting in the interest of the Ijaw people, insisting they neither consulted their constituents nor represented the collective position of the ethnic group.
The INC president further alleged that some legislators had continued to benefit from public funds while pushing the impeachment, citing reports that vehicles worth hundreds of millions of naira were allocated to lawmakers during a period of suspension. He said such actions showed the process was motivated by self-interest.
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Okaba accused the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, of using the impeachment to advance personal political ambitions, warning that undermining democratic institutions for future electoral gains would set the state back.
He also questioned the inclusion of the deputy governor in the impeachment process, stating that there was no justification for her involvement and warning that the development could reverse democratic progress.
Echoing similar concerns, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the impeachment process was embarrassing to President Bola Tinubu and the people of Rivers State. He argued that the lawmakers were not fighting the governor but undermining the collective interests of the state.
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Sara-Igbe accused the Assembly of disregarding the emergency measures previously imposed in the state and alleged that lawmakers had already benefited financially during that period. He warned that continued impeachment efforts could destabilise the state, the Niger Delta region and the country at large.
He also criticised Minister Nyesom Wike over what he described as premature political activities disguised as courtesy visits, challenging those involved to make public any agreement allegedly breached by the governor.
Both the INC and Rivers elders insisted that the impeachment would not succeed, warning that the process had further deepened political divisions and heightened tensions in the state.
