Rivers Assembly Presses On with Impeachment Bid Against Governor Fubara Amid Political Turmoil

The Rivers State House of Assembly has affirmed that impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, are progressing without interruption, despite swirling rumors of a potential halt. The process, initiated on January 8, 2026, during a plenary session led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, marks the third such attempt since Fubara assumed office in 2023. A notice of gross misconduct, signed by 26 of the 32 lawmakers and dated January 5, was formally served, adhering to Section 188 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. The Assembly’s Committee Chairman on Information, Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George, issued a press release on January 9 emphasizing that the action is a constitutional duty, not a political maneuver, and urged the public to ignore disinformation.

The allegations leveled against Fubara include the unauthorized demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditures, withholding of salaries and funds for the House and its Service Commission, defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative financial autonomy, illegal appointments without screening, and obstruction of legislative functions. Notably, the lawmakers accuse the governor of failing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, claiming Rivers is the only state yet to do so, though a prior budget from the 2025 state of emergency extends until August 2026. The House has adjourned to January 15, barring Fubara from budget presentations until the probe concludes, and insists the process will follow due legal course without compromise.

Reactions have been swift and polarized. Supporters of Fubara, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council, have condemned the move as destabilizing and externally influenced, calling for restraint to avoid unrest. The Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Fubara joined after defecting from the PDP in December 2025, along with various coalitions, has rejected the impeachment as unnecessary and threatened recalls of the lawmakers involved. Conversely, some observers note the Assembly’s loyalty to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s predecessor, amid their ongoing feud, though the lawmakers deny any vendetta.

This escalation underscores the deep-seated political rift in Rivers State, rooted in the mentorship-turned-rivalry between Fubara and Wike, with implications for governance, the 2027 elections, and national stability. Analysts speculate that President Bola Tinubu, who intervened in prior crises, may not step in this time, especially given Fubara’s recent party switch. As the state grapples with budgetary delays and potential instability, residents and stakeholders await the governor’s response, with calls for dialogue growing louder to prevent further disruption to one of Nigeria’s economic powerhouses.