By Ugochukwu Tonye Oputa
The Letter of Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct that made it online today is a move that became necessary at this time given that the Governor had failed to act within their estimated expectations.
Recall that before the Supreme Court Judgment, all actions of the Governor were duly backed up by court orders. The Governor relied on instructions of the court to work with the Oko Jumbo Led Assembly and that order remained valid until it was set aside by a higher court.
Every litigation process has an end and the Supreme Court being the Apex court gave a ruling and asked that the Governor represent the 2025 budget and recognize the Amaewhule-led Assembly as the legitimate house of Assembly.
What the Wike camp didn’t expect was the Governor’s tact in swiftly obliging to all orders of the Supreme Court.
They began with the 48 hours ultimatum and expected the Governor to ignore however, the Governor and his strategic team wrote a letter to the State House of Assembly notifying them that they were yet to receive the said letter that had the ultimatum, but rather saw soft copies of it online and that however, the Governor was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Judgment so he can implement swiftly.
All they were looking for was a justified ground to base their actions for impeachment.
They had hoped that a more tangible misconduct would be that of the Governor failing to obey the Supreme Court judgment and representing the budget or blatantly ignoring their letter.
The Governor even personally showed up at the Assembly Quarters to present the Budget but was locked out.
The Governor then wrote again to the Assembly communicating his willingness to present the budget at a given time or any time convenient for them in March.
From asking LGA Chairmen to step down to Showing up to present the budget, the Governor’s early moves disrupted their calculations.
One can categorically state that the Governor hasn’t gone contrary to the Law after the Supreme Court Judgement.
It is also worthy of noting that previous actions of the governor were carried out by orders of the court be it right or wrong. Where there was a contrary judgment, the case was pursued up to the Supreme Court, and upon a ruling, the Governor has now formally submitted to the new order setting aside the old one he worked with.
So you’d ask if they know this, why are they going ahead with this notice?
The answer is simple, to induce chaos!
It’s just like missing your target that you’re supposed to shoot and shoot upwards so the loud noise can rattle him wherever he is.
The second reason is to add more aces for them to negotiate with on the negotiation board.
As for impeachment, while it is within their constitutional right to attempt it, they know the political blunder of attempting a move when you barely hold the aces.
Everything in warfare is strategy and the Governor is getting it right!
Ugochukwu Oputa writes from Port Harcourt
