The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum has called on the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly to suspend all impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara for peace to reign.

Recall that the 27 lawmakers who make up the majority in the house had on Thursday served an impeachment notice on the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.

The lawmakers gave the governor seven days to respond to all the allegations levelled against him.

But the forum, in a statement, faulted the move by the lawmakers, saying the reasons advanced for their action are unconstitutional and lacking substance.

The statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday night was signed by the forum’s acting Chairman, Dr Gabriel Toby.

Tony, a former deputy governor of the state, expressed sadness that the renewed political feud that has culminated in the threat of impeachment came just a few months after the state was recovering from six months of emergency rule that halted democratic governance in the oil-rich state.

While condemning the move outright, the forum said the action of the lawmakers is self-serving rather than for the good of the state, saying it will not stay silent on a development that threatens the peace, stability, and future of the state

The statement party reads, “The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum expresses deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent impeachment notice issued against Governor Sir Sim Fubara and his deputy Prof. Ngozi Ordu by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process, not a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles. The reasons so far advanced in support of this action are disturbingly weak, lacking substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight.

“They appear driven by narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance.

“The Forum reminds the Rivers State House of Assembly that the Governor’s mandate was freely given by the people of Rivers State and can only be questioned in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and based on clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.

“We warn that the current course of action risks deepening political divisions, eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilizing an already fragile polity.

“Rivers State has not fully recovered from the political, social, and institutional disruptions of the recent period of emergency rule.

“Our people continue to bear the consequences of that episode, and this development, so early in the year, risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed.”

It continued, “Accordingly, we call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately retrace its steps and place the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all partisan or personal considerations.

“The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum remains firmly committed to peace, unity, justice, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. We will not be silent in the face of any action that threatens the stability, dignity, and future of our state.”

Authorities in Jersey will repatriate more than $9.5 million (£7 million) linked to “tainted property” to the Nigerian government.

PorscheClassy News understands that the funds were looted by Sani Abacha, former head of state, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998.

The sum was recovered under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, but legal proceedings stalled the return to Nigeria.

Mark Temple, attorney-general of Jersey, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria in December to facilitate the return of the funds, which were held in a bank account on the island.

The BBC reports that the agreement builds on two earlier arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria that led to the repatriation of over $300 million (£230 million) in recovered assets.

In a ruling delivered in January 2024, the Royal Court in Jersey held that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, finding that third-party contractors diverted public funds “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates”.

Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister of justice, said the recovered assets would be utilised strictly in line with the terms of the MoU.

“The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with its international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions,” Fagbemi said.

He added that the funds would be channelled towards the final stages of a major highway project that serves as a “vital link” between Abuja and Nigeria’s second-largest city.

Temple said the repatriation demonstrates the effectiveness of Jersey’s legal framework in tackling corruption.

“The return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” he said.

The 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has reiterated his call for a generational shift in Nigeria’s political leadership, saying the country urgently needs new leaders to address its challenges.

Datti made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television, where he reflected on his long political journey alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, Atiku had been contesting for the presidency as far back as when he was serving in the National Youth Service Corps.

“When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018 we contested primaries together,” he said.

He recalled that he again faced Atiku during the 2023 general election.

“In 2023, we contested again. I, as a vice president elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And for God’s sake, in 2027 again?” Datti said.

The Labour Party chieftain stressed that Nigeria needs a fresh generation of leaders, adding that many capable Nigerians are ready to serve but are discouraged by the country’s political structure.

“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party,” he said.

He further criticized Nigeria’s political system, describing it as expensive, difficult, and dominated by godfathers.

“There are good Nigerians, people capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by the expensive, difficult, treacherous system full of godfathers and bad promises,” he added.

It was earlier reported that Datti dismissed reports suggesting that he had recently declared his intention to contest the presidency, describing such claims as false.

He concluded by saying that many competent Nigerians are waiting for credible leadership to help fix the nation’s problems.