By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has fiercely condemned renewed attempts by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, labelling the threat as “reckless, unconstitutional, and a grave danger to peace and democratic stability.”
In a strongly-worded statement from its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group denounced the impeachment push as “politically perverse and morally indefensible.” HURIWA highlighted the alleged contradiction of All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers reportedly acting on the “prompting” of Nyesom Wike, a minister who is not a card-carrying APC member. This, they argued, exposes the move as a “proxy war” rather than a legitimate constitutional process.
The rights body called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently to halt what it termed a “manufactured crisis.” It insisted that the President, as leader of the ruling party and custodian of national stability, must prevent political brinkmanship from plunging Rivers State into avoidable turmoil.
HURIWA warned that allowing an impeachment under such circumstances would embolden political lawlessness and weaken democratic institutions across Nigeria.
Furthermore, HURIWA urged the APC leadership to issue a 24-hour ultimatum to the Assembly members, demanding they withdraw the impeachment threat or face disciplinary action—including dismissal from the party.
The group stressed that party discipline and constitutional order must override factional interests and external interference.
The statement emphasised that impeachment is a solemn constitutional remedy for proven gross misconduct, not a tool for political vendetta. It noted there has been no transparent or lawful process establishing any impeachable offence against Governor Fubara, cautioning that replacing due process with “political theatrics” has dire consequences for democracy.
HURIWA also appealed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State to resist any pressure to endorse a process “tainted by controversy and lacking constitutional merit,” reminding the judiciary that it must remain a bulwark against political abuse.
Calling for an immediate truce, the group appealed directly to Mr. Wike to “give peace a chance” and allow Governor Fubara the political space to govern.
It warned that sustained political hostility scares away investment and places citizens at risk.
Concluding, HURIWA stated that Rivers State needs calm leadership and cooperative governance, not a “descent into manufactured crises” driven by personal interests, adding that the nation is watching as the state stands at a critical crossroads.
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