By Milcah Tanimu

In a recent political development, President Bola Tinubu, alongside some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, successfully intervened to prevent the potential impeachment of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The President held discussions with Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. While a peaceful handshake between both leaders was observed, security personnel suppressed the media’s attempts to document the event, threatening eviction from the Presidential Villa.

In another turn of events, approximately 120 protesters in Port Harcourt were arrested during a demonstration against the governor’s impeachment. These demonstrators attempted to access the official residence of the State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt. The protesters demanded Amaewhule’s eviction, alleging that he was no longer the House Speaker. The police intervened, leading to clashes and the arrests. Sadly, one protester was injured by a stray bullet and subsequently hospitalized.

Chijioke Ihunwo, the state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, was among those arrested. He condemned the arrests and emphasized their peaceful protest. The protesters had gathered to object to the impeachment process initiated by some lawmakers against Governor Fubara.

Additionally, the crisis escalated as a group of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality kinsmen called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to reassign the state Commissioner of Police, Emeke Nwonyi. They were concerned about the police’s handling of the crisis in the state House of Assembly and the attack on Governor Fubara. The kinsmen criticized the police’s lack of professionalism and called for a reassignment of the commissioner.

Despite these tensions, President Tinubu’s intervention, and the efforts of PDP governors, appear to have diffused the immediate crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. It is now crucial for the region to pursue peaceful resolutions to their political conflicts and ensure stability in Rivers State.