• Gov charges judiciary on truth, justice as Daniel-Kalio bows out
• George bemoans INEC over exclusion of PDP, LP, ADC from bye-election

The Rivers State House of Assembly announced the suspension of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, yesterday, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
 
The decision was made during the plenary session shortly after the House rose from a Committee of the Whole session, convened to deliberate on the political impasse that has gripped the state in recent weeks. 
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, informed lawmakers that the withdrawal of the impeachment notice was in reference to the President’s intervention aimed at restoring stability and constitutional order in the state.
 
Amaewhule disclosed that, as part of the resolutions reached, all court cases instituted by the governor, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly in relation to the crisis had also been withdrawn.
 
He said the move signalled a commitment by all parties to embrace dialogue and political reconciliation in the interest of peace and governance.
 
“The withdrawal of the impeachment proceedings follows the intervention of the President,” the Speaker told the House, adding that steps had been taken to discontinue pending litigations connected to the standoff.

IN another development, Fubara has urged members of the judiciary and political class to place legacy and justice above personal interests, insisting that the true measure of leadership lies in how service ends.
 
Fubara spoke yesterday at a state banquet held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, in honour of Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, who recently retired from the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division.
 
Addressing jurists, government officials, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries, the governor stressed the need to uphold high standards in public service, noting that excellence could be restored through collective resolve and adherence to established norms.

“It is about coming together, believing in standards, and not allowing personal interests to override them. That is the only way we can restore the good old days,” he said.

MEANWHILE, the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has condemned the exclusion of the PDP, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Labour Party (LP) from the forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly bye-election, describing the development as a calculated attempt to undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that the three political parties would not participate in the February 21 bye-election in the state.
 
The decision was announced in Port Harcourt by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who said only seven political parties met the stipulated requirements and were cleared to contest.

Reacting in a statement yesterday, George described the decision as “arrant nonsense, absolute lunacy and tyranny of a despotic cabal desperate to rig the 2027 general elections.”

The PDP chieftain alleged that INEC was acting at the behest of powerful interests within the Presidency, claiming the commission had abandoned its constitutional neutrality.

“I strongly believe the question patriotic Nigerians should ask now is whether INEC has now become an arm of the APC,” George said.

He further alleged that the electoral body was being used to weaken opposition parties in preparation for the 2027 polls.

George also referenced historical precedents, warning that actions perceived as suppressing opposition voices could have grave national consequences.