Former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has questioned the legal options available to Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV News from 5:30, he argued that the crisis, which has led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has already defied multiple interventions, including legal, political, and spiritual solutions.
Senator Sani’s remarks came in response to concerns about whether legal proceedings could still resolve the standoff between the warring factions.
He pointed out that the case had already gone through the legal system, reaching the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the 27 lawmakers aligned against Governor Fubara. Despite this ruling, he noted, peace has remained elusive in the state.
The Rivers State crisis has been marked by intense political tensions, with two major factions locked in a battle over governance.
On one side, a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been pushing for Fubara’s impeachment.
On the other side, the governor and his supporters have been resisting attempts to remove him from office. This conflict has resulted in the paralysis of governance in the state, with legislative and executive functions in limbo.
During the interview, Senator Sani reflected on the options available to resolve the crisis. He noted that while some have suggested going to court, it remains unclear what further legal action could achieve, given that the Supreme Court has already ruled on aspects of the dispute.
In his words; “One of my brothers was saying that there is a need to go to court. But this ‘going to court’ has not produced anything. Even if you go to court, which court are you going to? The Supreme Court? The Supreme Court has already ruled in favor of the 27 lawmakers, yet there is still no peace. So, should we now wait for all the pipelines in the Niger Delta to be blown up while waiting for judgment from the Supreme Court? I don’t think so.”