Rivers Civil Servants Mobilise Against Impeachment Effort .....Threaten To Besiege Assembly Quarters In Defence Of Fubara

Civil servants in Rivers State, under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), have issued a strong warning, vowing to besiege the quarters of members of the State House of Assembly located along Aba-Port Harcourt Road in a bid to block the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu. This move comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly served an impeachment notice to the Governor and his deputy, accusing them of gross misconduct and directing the State's Chief Judge to initiate an investigation into the allegations.

In an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt, the NCSU Chairman for Rivers State, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, expressed the civil servants’ frustration with the political developments, revealing their plans to prevent the House of Assembly from continuing its sitting. Osumah emphasized that civil servants have been patient observers of the unfolding political drama but are now prepared to take decisive action to prevent the impeachment from progressing.

The NCSU Chairman explained that the workers were initially hopeful that the political tensions would subside, but he pointed out that the Rivers State lawmakers, along with their alleged sponsors, seem determined to proceed with the impeachment. This has prompted the civil servants to mobilize and take a stand. Osumah categorically stated that the organized labor movement in the State, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Joint Public Negotiating Council (JPNC), and the NCSU, has been left with no choice but to intervene.

"The civil servants in this state are fully behind the Governor and his administration because we have seen the positive impact it has had on our lives. Governor Fubara has shown unwavering commitment to our welfare, from ensuring the prompt payment of salaries to clearing long-standing arrears in pensions, gratuities, and even giving workers a Christmas bonus. This is in stark contrast to the years of neglect we suffered under the previous administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, who denied workers promotions and other benefits for over eight years," Osumah declared, explaining that the workers are no longer willing to sit on the sidelines while certain individuals plot to bring down the Governor, despite the efforts made by the Fubara administration to restore the dignity of civil servants in the state. According to Osumah, the workers believe that the current impeachment plot is being driven by political vendettas and personal grievances, rather than any legitimate concerns about governance.

Osumah further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of being influenced by political interests that have nothing to do with the welfare of the people of Rivers State. He stressed that the impeachment move was not based on any concrete evidence of wrongdoing but was politically motivated, stemming from unresolved issues from the past and power struggles within the state's political elite.

"Our loyalty is with the Governor because he has delivered on his promises to us. We’ve had our fair share of pain under the previous administration, and Governor Fubara has done everything to right those wrongs. If the lawmakers think they can proceed with this ill-advised impeachment, we will make our voices heard by any means necessary. We will mobilize the entire civil service and take action to stop them from sitting," Osumah warned.

The NCSU chairman also made an impassioned plea for intervention from the Federal Government. "We call on President Bola Tinubu to step in and halt the impeachment process. Civil servants in Rivers State stand with Governor Fubara, and we cannot sit idly by as this political drama plays out. The ongoing crisis is emotionally taxing on us, and it is crucial for the stability of our state that these tensions are defused," he said.

Osumah’s statements reflect growing frustration within the workforce in Rivers State, which has been struggling with the aftereffects of years of underpayment, delayed promotions, and other unfair treatment under the previous administration. Many civil servants believe that the Fubara government has delivered a much-needed reprieve and is seen as a rare ally who has prioritized their rights and entitlements.

While calling for political restraint, Osumah reiterated that the workforce will not back down in their support for Governor Fubara, regardless of the political machinations at play. He condemned the impeachment efforts as an affront to the hard-working men and women of the Rivers State Civil Service, who, according to him, are a crucial backbone of the state’s governance and development.

In closing, Osumah expressed hope that the political situation in the state would soon return to a state of normalcy, urging both the government and lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of the people over political rivalries. He also reaffirmed the NCSU's unyielding loyalty to the Fubara administration, calling for an end to the political upheaval that has left civil servants emotionally and psychologically strained.

The NCSU Chairman's comments echo widespread sentiment among civil servants in the state, who believe that the Governor’s administration is working towards a better future for them after years of hardship. Civil servants have remained largely silent throughout the political turmoil, but as the impeachment process moves forward, it appears they are now prepared to take bold steps to protect the Governor from what they perceive as a politically motivated attack.

The situation in Rivers State is now at a critical juncture, with tensions running high as political and labour groups prepare for what could be a significant confrontation. As the impeachment moves forward, all eyes will be on the steps taken by the civil service and the role of federal authorities in defusing the escalating crisis in the State.