A temporary restraining order was granted today by the Isiokpo Rivers State High Court, stopping the Rivers State House of Assembly from carrying out the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The court’s injunction prohibited Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Deputy Speaker Dumle Mao, House Clerk, and State Chief Judge Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi from any action in the case.
Fubara’s lawyer, Damian Okoro, argued an ex parte application marked IHC/230/CS/2023 before Justice O. Ben-Whyte, who subsequently issued the restraining order.
The judge, in his ruling, held that: ‘It is hereby ordered that the parties in the case maintain the status quo in the case by the applicant as the Governor of Rivers State pending the application of the Motion on Notice.’
‘The case is hereby adjourned till the 14th of November, 2023 for the argument of the Motion on Notice.’
The court’s injunction is the most recent development in the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, which was triggered by the bombing of the state Assembly complex on Monday night due to the lawmakers’ efforts to oust the governor.
The lawmakers’ actions were reportedly influenced by Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Read also: Tinubu Wades Into Rivers Crisis, Meets Wike, Fubara
President Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum attempted to intervene, but Wike refused all entreaties to settle the political dispute with Fubara on Wednesday.
During the Wednesday meeting with PDP governors in Abuja, Wike defended the impeachment plan against Fubara, emphasizing its alignment with constitutional principles.
He also cautioned Fubara against joining forces with his political opponents to undermine his authority.
Unperturbed by the minister’s hostility, Fubara hinted during a forum in Port Harcourt that the turmoil would be resolved, depicting his relationship with Wike as similar to that of a father and son.
Africa Today News, New York, has documented that the endeavors of 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, supportive of Wike, to impeach Fubara, led to unrest in the state on Monday, with the governor’s allies rallying in protest at the assembly complex against the decision.
The President organized a meeting with Wike and Fubara on Tuesday in an effort to settle the dispute, while the PDP governors, led by their Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, met with the minister 24 hours afterward.
Among the governors present were Governors Ahmadu Fintri (Adamawa), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
In a statement to the press after the 25-minute meeting, the Bauchi State governor praised Wike as a friendly individual contributing to national service as the Minister of the FCT.
He noted, ‘Because of the maturity and leadership of the minister and the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, this crisis is going to be nipped in the bud.
‘We know the person of Wike, his contribution to politics and national development; we know his relationship and his achievements in politics. So, we are not surprised that this matter is coming to an end.’