Rivers Governor Withdraws Lawsuit Against Assembly

Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has withdrawn his legal case against the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The move follows a political resolution aimed at settling the crisis rocking Rivers.

Fubara had gone to court to secure a restraining order preventing the Assembly from impeaching him. This was amid serving of an impeachment notice signed by 24 lawmakers last October accusing the Governor of gross misconduct.

However, his counsel Chief Orbih informed the court on Wednesday that he has instructions from Fubara to withdraw the matter per agreements reached by both parties to de-escalate tensions. Though defense counsel said he lacked similar instructions, the judge adjourned proceedings to January 2024 to allow further conferment.

The announcement came as the Amaewhule-led legislators also repealed their impeachment notice against Fubara during plenary. This fulfills part of the truce deal brokered by national leaders to resolve the state’s political infighting since Wike exited office.

With the legal case now withdrawn and impeachment canceled, focus shifts to reconciling the executive and legislative arms to provide stability after months of crisis. The rapprochement could pave way for governance to resume serving pressing needs of Rivers people.