Fubara Urges Calm, Assures On Resolution Of Ongoing Crisis

…We’ve Uncovered Plot To Stop Our Functions — Rivers Assembly

PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State governor, Simina­layi Fubara, has urged residents to remain calm as impeachment proceedings target him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

Speaking at a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Re­membrance Day at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, Fubara called for peace and as­sured that the situation would be resolved.

The governor said his silence in the face of political distrac­tions stems from his faith in God.

Reflecting on his New Year banquet remarks, he not­ed, “Dogs bark when they do not understand. I don’t shout or complain because I know what I have, the su­preme strength of God.”

 Fubara said: “I said something that dogs bark when they don’t under­stand. Now, see, a lot of you don’t understand, and that’s the reason why I don’t shout, I don’t com­plain. I know what I have.

“I know that I have what is supreme, and that is God. So, I want everyone to be relaxed. What is im­portant is peace for this dear state, and we’ll get it by the special name of God.”

Deputy Governor Odu thanked attendees for their presence and urged the public to uphold good conduct, echoing Arch­bishop Blessing Eyinda’s sermon that every action will be remembered.

She also called for con­tinued prayers in support of the administration, describing them as the foundation sustaining the government.

We’ve Uncovered Plot To Stop Rivers Legislative Functions

However, the Rivers State House of Assembly has sounded the alarm over an alleged scheme by individuals linked to the executive arm to obtain a court order that would stop it from carrying out its constitutional duties.

In a statement signed by Dr. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Informa­tion, Petitions, and Com­plaints, the Assembly said those behind the plan are seeking an ex parte order from a High Court outside Port Harcourt.

The House described the move as “dead on ar­rival,” warning that it would violate the 1999 constitution of the Feder­al Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The lawmakers said the alleged action also breaches Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the consti­tution and runs contrary to Court of Appeal prece­dents.

Dr. George urged the state governor and deputy served with notices of al­leged gross misconduct to respond to the allegations rather than seeking legal shortcuts.

George said: “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts especially outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to issue ex parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of As­sembly from performing her constitutional duties.

“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the con­stitution which states that ‘subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the consti­tution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdic­tion to hear and determine the question as to wheth­er the term of office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, gover­nor or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant’.

“Also, Section 188(10) states that ‘no proceed­ings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceed­ings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court’.

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pro­nouncements on this mat­ter, especially recently at the Court of Appeal on a matter involving similar ex parte order by a Rivers State High Court contrary to section 272(3) of the con­stitution.

“A word is enough for the wise”.

The lawmakers called on those behind the al­leged move to exercise restraint and uphold the constitution.

Lawmakers stressed that all actions should align with the principles of the rule of law.

They emphasised that officeholders who have al­ready been served with the notice of allegations of gross misconduct are ex­pected to respond to each item individually, rather than using covert mea­sures to undermine the law or deploying proxies to malign members of the Assembly in the media.

The Assembly reaf­firmed its commitment to the constitution and the rule of law, expressing hopes for continued peace and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria.

They said, “Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the constitution and the rule of law.

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the notice of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to them item by item rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.

“We remain committed to the constitution and the rule of law and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria”.