Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have insisted that the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, will continue, describing it as the only solution to the political crisis in the state.

The lawmakers made this known on Friday while briefing journalists, after the Assembly failed to reconvene on Thursday as scheduled.

Taking turns to address the media, the legislators maintained that the impeachment proceedings were constitutional and in line with their legislative responsibilities.

They dismissed criticisms of the process, insisting that the Assembly was acting within the provisions of the law to address what they described as a political impasse in Rivers State.

The briefing came a day after the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to resume plenary on Thursday, exactly one week after adjourning its last sitting.

The House had, at its sitting last week, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.

The allegations included the demolition of the Assembly complex and spending public funds without legislative approval.

However, the impeachment move has faced political pushback, with four lawmakers between Monday and Wednesday formally withdrawing from the process and calling for an amicable resolution of the crisis.

Despite expectations that the Assembly would reconvene on Thursday, there was no indication that plenary held, fuelling speculation about internal divisions within the House.

The lawmakers, however, said on Friday that the impeachment process remained on course.

More details later…

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said the decision of his son, Abba Abubakar, to join the All Progressives Congress was a personal choice and not a cause for alarm.

In a statement issued on Thursday via X, Atiku said political choices made by family members were normal in a democracy and insisted he did not interfere with the conscience of his children or Nigerians.

“The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect,” Atiku said.

He added, “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”

Atiku, however, criticized the ruling party, saying his main concern remained governance and the state of the country. “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people,” he said.

He further stated, “I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”

It was earlier reported that Abba Abubakar defected from the PDP to the ruling APC, pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, where Abba was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.

Addressing party leaders and supporters at the event, Abba announced his resignation from the PDP and declared his decision to join the APC, describing the move as historic and personal.

“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC,” he said.

He also cited the leadership of the Deputy Senate President as a factor in his decision, saying, “Today, I’m here to formally announce my exit from my former party to the APC following the outstanding leadership style and quality of His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.”

Abba added that he would mobilise support for the ruling party ahead of the next election. “With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027. To this effect, I’m directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” he said.