By Danlami Nmodu
After Newsdiaryonline.com broke the story on April 18,2013 titled : “Plot to Impeach Rivers State Gov Amaechi uncovered”, some lawmakers rushed to Abuja to deny the plot.But events in Rivers State have gotten to a stage that details of impeachment plot are beginning to emerge ,thus confirming the Newsdiaryonline.com story .
Reports from Port Harcourt said the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree has confirmed that there is indeed a plot against Amaechi.But PDP has once again denied it.
A statement by the speaker said “ The leadership and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly wish to bring to the notice of the people of Rivers State and Nigerians some of the dangerous moves by the Felix Obuah -led PDP to cause general chaos and confusion in Rivers State.
The exclusive Story:Plot to Impeach Rivers State Gov Amaechi Uncovered
“We have been reliably informed that a fake mace has been smuggled into the state to enable FIVE members of the House hold an emergency session even when the House adjourned sine die on Tuesday,April 23, 2013.
“The Abuja plan on ground is to falsely impeach the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and create confusion through varied responses, which they hope will make the state ungovernable and provide them with some kind of warped basis to introduce Emergency Rule in Rivers State.
“Furthermore, there are strong indications that some persons have been detailed exclusively to create systemic collapse of security in the state, putting lives and property in danger.
“This is undemocratic , unacceptable and a complete violation of the mandate that the good people of Rivers State have vested on us.
“We call on the good people of Rivers State to remain calm, watchful and law-abiding as the scenario unfolds.”
Recently, the pro Amaechi PDP exco in the state was sacked and replaced by loyalists of Abuja forces .The new PDP exco suspended over 26 lawmakers of the state House of Assembly in what is believed to be part of the plot to hit Amaechi.
But Femi Falani, a senior Advocate of Nigeria,SAN reportedly warned against such plot.He argued that the Nigeria’s apex court had “in the case of governos Ladoja and Dariye ruled that a minority of members of a legislative house cannot impeach a governor.
He said “With 27 members on his side, there is no way Governor Rotimi Amaechi can be legally or constitutionally impeached by a minority of five members.
Pointedly Falana said “I learnt that the 27 legislators loyal to Governor Ameachi were purportedly dismissed from the PDP because they rejected the directive to remove the governor. But the High Court in Rivers State has invalidated their expulsion. Legally speaking, they remain legitimate members of the PDP.”
However ,pro-Abuja forces have once again denied any impeachment plot against Amaechi.The new PDP exco chairman loyal to Abuja forces,Felix Obuah addressed the press yesterday and denied any plot to impeach Amaechi
Obuah said “Serious allegation was levelled against me and members of my executive of a plan to impeach Amaechi. I want to debunk the allegation. At no time have I nurtured such plan or met with members of my executive to plot to impeach the governor.
“The supporters of Amaechi are trying to create problems and cause anarchy. They are lying against me and members of my executive.
“My aim is to bring everybody together and to have a united front. I cannot work in isolation of Governor Amaechi.
“I am the authentic Rivers State chairman of the PDP. I am not a factional chairman. I do not have the power to impeach Amaechi.
“I will work with Amaechi to move Rivers State forward. I am the leader of the PDP in Rivers State while Amaechi is the leader of Rivers state and a member of the PDP.
“PDP is one family. I and members of my executive have come to unite the party, not to divide it. In the last few days of my being in office, everybody is being carried along.
“PDP members are happy because their mandate has been restored. The masses are happy. The few persons making noise are those who are benefiting from Amaechi. I am a transparent person. I will lead without fear or favour.
“The leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, who asked Rivers people to be protesting, should be ignored. Matter of the suspension of the 27 lawmakers has been referred to the disciplinary committee. They are involved in anti-party activities.
“The 27 suspended lawmakers rushed to a Port Harcourt court for injunction to restrain the party from suspending them, after my executive had already suspended them. The right things should be done.
“The 27 members of the Rivers Assembly are PDP members and they owe allegiance to the party. PDP is not a pressure group, but a political party. We have the power to suspend the lawmakers.”
