The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday called on the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu.

The call followed a unanimous vote by the lawmakers, who vowed to press ahead with the impeachment process.

Earlier, members of the Assembly addressed a live press conference in Port Harcourt, where they accused Gov. Fubara of resorting to blackmail. Speaking to journalists, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Dumle Maol, said the governor no longer commanded the trust required to resolve the crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

The lawmakers accused the governor of infringing the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, insisting that the legislature had been left with no option but to exercise its constitutional powers to remove him from office. They also alleged that the governor and his deputy had engaged in acts of intimidation against the Assembly.

Despite the sharp criticism, the lawmakers expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis.

“It is obvious that the only solution now is to apply the solution prescribed by the 1999 Constitution, as altered, which is the impeachment of the incorrigible governor and the deputy governor,” Mr. Maol said.

“We therefore strongly appeal to leaders at all levels and the good people of Rivers State to kindly consider the problem at hand and understand that the impeachment process is the best way to go at this point.

“We are using this medium to call on the Speaker to allow the constitutional process to proceed unhindered. We thank our dear President, Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated so much love for Rivers State. He did his best for the resolution of this impasse, but the governor and deputy governor are adamant,” he added.

The lawmakers also called on the Speaker, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, to reconvene the House.

In a significant development, four members of the Assembly who had earlier held separate press conferences calling for a political solution recanted their positions and declared support for the continuation of the impeachment process.

Shortly after the live press conference, the lawmakers proceeded to the chambers for the commencement of a parliamentary session.