Opunabo Inko-Tariah, former Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike has come out in defense of the embattled Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is facing threats of impeachment. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, dismissed the calls for impeachment as stemming from “sentimental politics” rather than any wrongdoing on the part of the governor.
ALSO READ Pro-Fubara Lawmakers Emerge, Elect Speaker
He said. “Lots of people feel we will arrive at the resolution of the issues but certain persons are adamant for some parochial reasons to ensure that either they remove the governor on the basis of impeachment. What has the governor done to warrant impeachment if not for political and sentimental reasons?”
At the heart of the controversy is the defection of certain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from their political parties. Inko-Tariah argued that, according to Section 109(G) of the constitution, such defections automatically result in the loss of legislative seats, barring extenuating circumstances like party mergers or internal crises.
“Authoritatively, I can say they are at his mercy. We had a matter in court, where the legality of the assembly members was questioned, having defected to APC and we all know that save two extenuating circumstances, one, merger of or crisis in the political parties, once you defect by section 109(G), automatically you have lost your seat as a member of the house of Assembly,” he stated.
In the spirit of peace and reconciliation, the governor of Rivers State, after meeting with the President Bola Tinubu, said, I would not set the coercive legal machinery against these persons. They have defected and that is self-executory. Once you defect, you have lost your seat as a member of the House of Assembly or as a legislator in the country,” Inko-Tariah added
ALSO READ:Alleged N2.7bn fraud: Court Grants N100m Bail Each To Sirika, Daughter, 2 Others
He maintained that the people of Rivers State are rallying to protect the governor’s seat, not necessarily Governor Fubara himself. The eight-point agenda signed by Fubara at Aso Rock was a matter of “legitimacy” rather than legality, he added. Allegations by Local Government Chairmen that the governor had withheld allocations were also rebuffed by Inko-Tariah, who clarified that any delays in fund disbursement were routine occurrences.
