In an earlier piece, I argued that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is taking part in a harmful sport by not doing sufficient to encourage assist from some members of the Home of Meeting to forestall Minister Nyesome Wike group in the home from having the required two-third majority to question him.
Some folks have rightly argued that the method doesn’t finish with the Meeting, however with an insinuation that the Chief Decide of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, would possibly refuse to represent the obligatory seven-member investigative panel, or may appoint members inclined to exonerate the governor. This view, nonetheless, stems extra from partisan hope than authorized actuality.
Beneath Part 188(5) of the 1999 Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Chief Decide’s function is obligatory and never elective. As soon as the Speaker requests it following a movement supported by not less than two-thirds of all Meeting members, the Chief Decide shall, inside seven days, appoint a seven-member panel of individuals with unquestionable integrity to analyze the allegations. Refusal to conform may invite disciplinary motion from the Nationwide Judicial Council, NJC.
The Rivers State Home of Meeting has 32 members, so two-thirds equates to 21. Reviews point out that round 26 members are in favour of the impeachment course of. With the required majority, achieved, if the Speaker makes the formal request, the Chief Decide is constitutionally mandated to behave.
On the argument of loyalty, it have to be famous that Justice Amadi was appointed Chief Decide in Could 2021 throughout Minister Wike’s tenure as governor, amid controversy over his elevation regardless of not being probably the most senior choose on the time. If private or perceived allegiance performs any function, it will seemingly favour Wike, the architect of his appointment over Fubara, whose administration has struggled to retain even core supporters.
Furthermore, the Wike’s faction has masterfully performed a wise one on the Governor by securing a beneficial judgement indicting the Governor from the apex court docket. Supreme Courtroom ruling in 2025 have indicated a constitutional infringements by the governor, making a formidable precedent. Any seven-member panel would discover it extraordinarily tough to contradict or ignore such apex court docket findings.
This leaves Governor Fubara in a susceptible spot. This goes with out saying that his incapability to construct and maintain a strong bloc within the Meeting inside his almost three years as governor has allowed his opponents management the important thing constructions for his impeachment.
Nevertheless, Presidential intervention stays Fubara’s most sensible lifeline, but it surely’s wanting like a tall order now. Would the President aspect with a governor missing grassroots management from ward to state degree in opposition to a minister whom he helped to construct and preserve formidable political equipment throughout from ward to native authorities and to federal? Solely time will inform.
By Inyali Peter