Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers on Monday challenged the state House of Assembly to make public the crimes that justify impeachment proceedings against him.
Fubara issued the challenge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Boniface Onyedi, and made available to journalists on Monday.
The statement was his first official reaction to the announcement of the start of impeachment proceedings against him by the House.
Vice President Maol Dumle introduced a motion on the House floor Monday to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Maol based his motion on the governor’s alleged “misconduct, unbecoming a governor.”
Explosion in assembly building
Fubara condemned the bombing of a section of the House of Assembly complex by suspected hoodlums, who allegedly attacked the building with an improvised explosive device.
In the statement he described as unfortunate the attempt by “some dissatisfied people to forcibly take control of the assembly.”
“The truth is that everyone who knows me knows that I am a peaceful person.
“Never ever, even if I am aware that there is a plot to remove me for any reason, can I be a part of such destruction.
“I’m concerned that a facility like this, where we use taxpayer money, would be destroyed for selfish reasons, just to please someone,” he said.
Governor Fubara described as null and void any illegal legislative action taken by some members.
According to him, whoever planned the attack on the assembly was trying to divert attention.
The governor said he would resist any unjustified attempt to remove him.
“Let them tell the people of Rivers about my crime.
“Go out and tell the people of Rivers that the crime Fubara committed deserves impeachment.
“My happiness this morning is that the people of Rivers, represented by each of you here, are with us.
“Let me assure you that we will continue to defend you.
“We will protect them and they will enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.
Fubara alleged that some security officers had been compromised.
He alleged that his vehicle came under direct fire as he headed to the assembly complex to assess the extent of the damage caused by the early morning bombing.
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He praised the youth for defending the interests of the State.
NAN recalls that the House of Assembly also moved four additional motions to remove the House Majority Leader, Edison Ehie, for alleged inability to effectively discharge his responsibilities.
The other three motions were for the suspension of Victor Okoh (Bonny Constituency), Goodboy Sokari (Ahoada West Constituency) and Adulphus Timothy (Opobo/Nkoro Constituency).
Twenty-four of the 32 legislators voted in favor of the motions.
(YAYA)
