Aisha Yesufu Slams Rivers Lawmakers Over Impeachment Moves Against Fubara

A socio-political activist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised members of the Rivers State House of Assembly over moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.

In a statement issued on Friday, Yesufu said lawmakers who have deviated from their primary responsibility of representing the people should be recalled from office.

She, however, lamented the challenges associated with recalling legislators, blaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what she described as a process that makes accountability almost impossible.

According to her, members of the Rivers Assembly have become tools in the hands of political actors, noting that the lives and wellbeing of ordinary residents of the state no longer appear to be their priority.

Yesufu said that although the recall of lawmakers is democratic in theory, it is nearly impossible in practice due to what she described as fundamental flaws in Nigeria’s voters’ register.

“INEC itself has acknowledged that Nigeria’s voters’ register contains names of deceased persons, people who have relocated, and other ineligible entries, making it difficult to say it truly reflects eligible voters,” she said.

She recalled that previous voter registration cleanup exercises revealed high levels of invalid registrations, with biometric checks in some cases showing that nearly half of new entries were invalid before verification.

According to her, this has made the constitutional requirement of securing signatures from 50 per cent of registered voters unrealistic, as the figure is inflated by outdated and inaccurate data.

“Until the voters’ register is cleaned, verified, revalidated and linked to reliable identity systems, recall, which is a vital democratic tool, will remain a mirage for citizens, while power remains shielded from the people,” Yesufu said.

She argued that if recall thresholds were based on verified active voters or actual votes cast, elected officials would be more accountable and focused on governance rather than factional interests.

“Yes, let us be clear: if a lawmaker’s duty is not to represent the people, protect their interests and legislate for their wellbeing, but to serve the ambitions of a few political elites, then they have no business occupying legislative seats,” she added.

Yesufu stressed that the people of Rivers State deserve leaders who prioritise public interest above personal ambition, insisting that accountability, integrity and good governance must not be compromised.