Chief Jim Nwobodo was instrumental to the emergence of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani as the Governor of Enugu State in 1999. By the year 2000 the two men fell out, Jim Nwobodo vowed that Dr. Nnamani must be impeached as Governor. He had 16 members of the House of Assembly loyal to him, Nnamani had just 6.

The 16 pro-Nwobodo lawmakers passed impeachment resolution against Nnamani, while the 6 pro Nnamani lawmakers suspended the 16. When Governor Nnamani was to submit 2001 budget, he presented it before the 6 Assembly members and they passed it.

Meanwhile, Nwobodo’s 16 were flying from Abuja to Enugu and fro in chartered flight and with retinue of mobile Policemen to perfect the impeachment against Nnamani. They passed their resolution to the Enugu State Chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel to determine the offences leveled against the Governor in order to pave way for the conclusion of the impeachment process, but the Chief Judge ignored them because he recognized the 6 Assembly members loyal to the Governor. That was how the plot to impeach Nnamani was brought to nullity.

Nnamani went on to win reelection in 2003.

The 25 APC Rivers lawmakers (now former) that feels that they can remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office should learn from history. – Omotayo Williams