A pro-democracy group called Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) has started the process of recalling four lawmakers over their alleged involvement in a failed attempt to impeach Governor Sim Fubara. The move to recall these lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly is believed to be the first casualty in an ongoing political battle between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers affected are Dumle Maol (PDP, Gokana constituency), Barile Nwakoh (PDP, Khana), Aforji Igwe (PDP, Eleme) and Bernard Ngba (PDP, Tai). According to the convener of the group, Comrade Solomon Lenu, the move was necessary to “save our democracy” and other regions of the country would follow suit. On November 10, ODD issued a seven-day ultimatum to the four Ogoni lawmakers who participated in the plot that attempted to serve an impeachment notice to Gov. Fubara.
They were asked to apologize to the Ogoni people and Governor Fubara for denigrating his office or risk being recalled. However, instead of heeding this advice and embracing the olive branch extended to them, they embarked on an egocentric escapade, resulting in their suspension.
Lenu further stressed that the lawmakers rather than heed the advice by ODD engaged in various meetings that purportedly plotted to unseat the governor.
“Gov. Fubara was collectively voted for by the entire Rivers people, and as such, the action by the lawmakers has not gone well with all men and women of conscience,” he continued.
“It is illogical for the erring assembly members to think it is right to impeach an innocent governor for no just cause but wrong to recall them for erring against their constituents.
“The suspended lawmakers called the bluff of ODD ultimatum, and so, we have decided to carry out this recall process in earnest, to put our democracy right,” he said.
Lenu said the group had already reached an advanced level in sensitizing and mobilizing the lawmakers’ constituents to recall them.
He noted that ODD had also obtained the comprehensive voters’ register of all voters in the four local government areas and constituencies.
According to him, an electronic capture form has also been created to make the petition process easier for students at various tertiary school campuses and those on holiday to sign the petition.
“So far, the response from the aggrieved constituents has been very impressive, and we shall in a few weeks’ time complete the compilation of the required signatures.
“The signatures are required for INEC to call for a referendum, which shall be carried out in branches with strict security guidance, to abort any sinister counterplot against democracy.
“We know this process is not going to be easy, but we are ready to go all the way, to create a sense of responsibility in our elected leaders,” he said.
Lenu said the recall would further entrench democratic tenets in the country.
The ODD convener called on the people of Ogoni to come forward and sign the petition, to end political “jamboree and illicit godfatherism” in the state.