Legal practitioners aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara have launched a recall initiative against 26 pro-Wike lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly amid intensifying political conflict.
The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission to release voters registers for the lawmakers constituencies to begin signature collection.
This escalation responds to the assembly members recent impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu over alleged gross misconduct financial irregularities and constitutional breaches.
The lawyers argue the lawmakers forfeited public trust through their defection from PDP to APC political thuggery and threats to democratic governance in Rivers State.
Under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution constituents can recall representatives by securing signatures from at least one-third of registered voters in each district.
INEC faces a 14-day deadline to supply the registers after which petitioners aim to gather 35 percent voter support for verification and potential recall elections.
The pro-Fubara faction portrays this as grassroots empowerment against legislative overreach while Speaker Martin Amaewhule faction labels the governor a regrettable mistake for Rivers people.
Amaewhule detailed accusations including unauthorized fund withdrawals illegal appointments and funding of rival lawmakers without appropriation.
Past Supreme Court rulings affirmed the pro-Wike lawmakers legitimacy despite defections complicating fresh recall efforts.
Governor Fubara remains publicly silent but his supporters celebrate the move as a democratic counter to perceived sabotage.
The standoff risks governance paralysis with by-elections possibly reshaping assembly control if recalls succeed across constituencies.
Neutral observers urge INEC impartiality amid claims of federal bias toward Wike influencing electoral processes.
Rivers political crisis underscores deeper PDP factionalism threatening state stability and national party unity.
Recall success could dramatically shift power dynamics forcing Wike allies into defensive legislative positions.
Grassroots mobilization now determines whether constituents back Fubaras camp or uphold embattled lawmakers tenures.
