Former Governor reveals only Way to save Fubara as Rivers Lawmakers starts Impeachment move again

Former Governor reveals only Way to save Fubara as Rivers Lawmakers starts
Impeachment move again

Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has warned that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara may only escape impeachment through spiritual intervention, saying fasting and prayers are his best hope amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Fayose made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Channels Television while reacting to the escalating dispute between Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Rivers assembly on Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of “gross misconduct.”

The Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, accused both the governor and his deputy of actions he said posed a threat to democracy in the state. He also alleged that Fubara failed to present the state’s budget in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Similarly, Enemi George, chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, disclosed that formal notices of gross misconduct had been served on both Fubara and Odu.

Commenting on the development, Fayose urged the Rivers governor to seek reconciliation with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He faulted Fubara for allegedly appointing commissioners and spending public funds without securing the approval of the state assembly.

“I’m not a prophet, so many prayers would be said to save Fubara. So many fasts and prayers would be the only thing that would save Fubara in this one,” Fayose said.

“My prayer is that God will enter his mind, and the president will help calm him down.”

The former Ekiti governor said he never expected the relationship between Fubara and Wike to deteriorate to its current level.

“Let me quickly say this: I never knew this thing would ever happen between Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike,” Fayose said.

Recalling events surrounding Fubara’s inauguration, Fayose said he had earlier expressed concern about loyalty and political trust.

“I was sitting on the high table the day Governor Fubara was sworn in,” he said.

“And I told Wike that I want to say one or two things to Fubara not to betray you.

“He said, ‘I should not say it; he cannot do it’.”

Fayose, who has previously faced impeachment himself, was first sworn in as Ekiti State governor in 2003 but was removed from office in 2006 over alleged mismanagement of state funds. However, the Supreme Court nullified his impeachment in 2014.

Later that year, Fayose returned to office after defeating then-governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 2014 governorship election. He was inaugurated for a second term in October 2014 and served until 2018.