The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Rivers State Governor, Darlington Orji, has dismissed the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting the process is baseless and will not succeed.
Orji made the assertion while speaking on a television programme on Friday, where he refuted claims that the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally served impeachment proceedings on the governor.
“I can confirm to you up until this minute, he has not received any proceedings from the Assembly,” Orji said.
He maintained that there was no justification for initiating impeachment proceedings, stressing that allegations of misconduct against the governor were unfounded.
“The truth of the matter is that there is no cause for even initiating the impeachment process,” he stated.
According to Orji, the move does not reflect the will of the people of Rivers State, expressing confidence that the lawmakers involved would eventually abandon the process.
“I’m very sure, I’m convinced that they will drop the process, because there is no need for it. That is not what Rivers State wants for now,” he said.
Addressing suggestions that Governor Fubara was reacting late to the situation, Orji rejected the narrative, describing the governor as calm and deliberate in his leadership approach.
“This is a man that does not want to join issues with people. He’s very calm, he’s very humble,” he said.
On claims that the governor travelled out of the state to avoid being served impeachment notices, Orji said the allegation was false, explaining that the Assembly reconvened unexpectedly.
“The governor did not run away. The governor is not afraid of service, because there is no cockroach in his cupboard. He has nothing to hide,” Orji said, adding that the governor was in Port Harcourt.
Orji also dismissed allegations that the governor made appointments without legislative screening, insisting no constitutional breach had occurred.
“The governor has not made any appointment that requires screening,” he said.
He explained that following a Supreme Court judgment recognising Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the House, the governor retained only officials who had already been screened under that leadership.
“The governor dropped them, leaving the eight persons that were screened by Martin Amaewhule,” Orji explained.
On the appointment of special advisers, he said legislative screening was not required.
“The only five appointments that were made are members of special advisers, which Martin Amaewhule has already given clearance to. They are never screened,” he added.
Responding to financial issues linked to demands for a supplementary budget, Orji said the governor did not see the need for additional funding.
“The governor himself said that when he came back on board, that he has about ₦600 billion in the coffers of Rivers State Government,” he said.
According to him, the governor declined to present a supplementary budget late in the fiscal year.
“The governor said, I don’t have a need for a supplementary budget,” Orji stated.
He further alleged that lawmakers had already received funds for constituency projects.
“The ₦350 million that was given to each of them for their constituency project, where did it come from?” he asked.
Orji also claimed that lawmakers were provided with vehicles.
“It’s Range Rover 2025. I can make the record available,” he said.
Expressing confidence about the outcome of the impeachment process, Orji insisted it would fail as support continued to dwindle.
“I can tell you for free that this process will not get through because there is no truth in it,” he said.
He added that the number of lawmakers backing the impeachment had already reduced.
“When they raised that issue, there were 26. As of today, there are 22. Their numbers will reduce by the day,” Orji concluded.
