From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) said it has begun the process of recalling four Ogoni lawmakers from Rivers House of Assembly for their alleged involvement in the futile impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The lawmakers are Dumle Maol (Deputy Speaker), Gokana constituency), Barile Nwakoh (Khana), Aforji Igwe (Eleme) and Bernard Ngba (Tai). They are all members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Convener of the group, Solomon Lenu, made this known at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said: “ODD had on November 10 issued a seven-day ultimatum to the four Ogoni lawmakers, who partook in the plot that attempted to serve an impeachment notice to Governor Fubara.
“The four lawmakers, now suspended, were asked to apologise to the Ogoni people whom they represent and to Governor Fubara for denigrating his exalted office or risk being recalled.
“The suspended lawmakers called a bluff of ODD ultimatum; and so, we have decided to carry out this recall process in earnest, to put our democracy aright.”
He continued: “Instead of heeding this advice and embracing the olive branch extended to them, they rather embarked on an egocentric escapade.”
Lenu further said the lawmakers rather than heed to the advice by ODD engaged in various meetings that purportedly plotted to unseat the governor.
He said: “Gov. Fubara was collectively voted for by the entire Rivers people. And as such, the action by the lawmakers has not gone well with all men and women of conscience.
“It is illogical for the erring Assembly members to think it is right to impeach an innocent governor for no just cause, but wrong to recall them for erring against their constituents.”
Lenu said the group had already reached an advanced level in sensitising and mobilising the lawmakers’ constituents to recall them.
He said that ODD had also obtained the comprehensive voters’ register of all voters in the four local government areas and constituencies.
According to him, an electronic capture form has also been created to make the petition process easier for students at various tertiary school campuses and those on holiday to sign the petition.
“So far, the response from the aggrieved constituents has been very impressive, and we shall in a few weeks’ time complete the compilation of the required signatures.
“The signatures are required for INEC to call for a referendum, which shall be carried out in branches with strict security guidance, to abort any sinister counterplot against democracy.
“We know this process is not going to be easy, but we are ready to go all the way, to create a sense of responsibility in our elected leaders.”
Lenu said instilling a sense of responsibility in politicians and elected leaders would further entrench democratic tenets in the country.
He called on the people of Ogoni to come forward and sign the petition, to end political “jamboree and illicit godfatherism” in the state.
It would be recalled that Fubara on October 30, 2023, survived an alleged impeachment plot.
Twenty-six lawmakers had proceeded to impeach the governor; but, the plot was foiled by four pro-Fubara lawmakers led by Edison Ehie representing Ahoada East Constituency II.
After the botched impeachment of the governor, the House of Assembly has been polarized with the 26 lawmakers led by Mr. Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor constituency); while the four aggrieved or pro-Fubara legislators are led by Ehie.