KEY POINTS

• Two additional Rivers lawmakers step back from impeachment move against Governor Fubara

• Total withdrawals rise to four, weakening momentum within the Assembly

• Lawmakers cite peace, stability and stakeholder intervention as reasons

The impeachment effort against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, suffered another blow on Wednesday after two more lawmakers withdrew their support, deepening divisions within the State House of Assembly and strengthening calls for dialogue.

Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio Akpor Constituency II, announced their decision less than 48 hours after two other legislators publicly stepped away from the process. Both lawmakers appealed for restraint, saying the political crisis in the state required calm handling rather than escalation.

Their decision brings to four the number of lawmakers who have distanced themselves from the impeachment notice initially backed by a majority of the 26 member Assembly.

Lawmakers Cite Peace and Stakeholder Intervention

Nwakoh and Amadi agreed with the concerns that were raised about the governor and his deputy breaking the law. They said, though, that they changed their minds after respected leaders and political stakeholders warned them that the impeachment path could make things worse across the state.

The lawmakers said in separate statements that Rivers couldn’t afford long-term political instability and that talking things out was a safer way to settle disagreements between the executive and legislative branches of government.

The withdrawals show that more and more Assembly members are worried about how the impeachment process is going, as some want to make peace instead of fighting.