Rivers House of Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara and Deputy
House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara
The protracted political crisis in Rivers State reached a critical juncture on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as the House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu. During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the legislative body reeled out a series of allegations bordering on gross misconduct and constitutional violations, signaling a significant escalation in the struggle for the state's political leadership.
Formal Presentation of Allegations
The move was triggered by a formal notice presented by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, which was reportedly signed by 26 out of the 32 members of the Assembly. The lawmakers invoked Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), citing seven specific counts of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
Key allegations against the Governor include:
Unconstitutional Expenditure: Alleged withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and extra-budgetary spending without legislative approval.
Administrative Obstruction: Withholding of salaries and operational funds meant for the House of Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
Contempt of Court: Failure to comply with judicial rulings regarding the legitimacy of the current Assembly leadership and the financial autonomy of the legislature.
Illegal Appointments: Accusations of making executive appointments and swearing in commissioners without mandatory legislative screening and confirmation.
Simultaneously, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. The allegations against the Deputy Governor mirror several of the Governor's charges, including claims of reckless spending and conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy government offices.
Legislative Gridlock and Budgetary Implications
In a swift follow-up to the impeachment notices, the Rivers State House of Assembly unanimously adopted a motion to decline action on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2026 Appropriation Bill. Speaker Amaewhule clarified that the legislature would suspend all deliberations on the state’s fiscal plans until the investigations into the executive branch are concluded.
The House has directed that the formal notices be served on both the Governor and his Deputy within the statutory seven-day period. Under constitutional procedure, the officials will have an opportunity to respond before the Assembly decides whether to request the state’s Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel.
Political Context: Defections and Alliances
The fresh impeachment move follows a period of significant political realignment in the state. In late 2025, Governor Fubara and several lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to stabilise the administration following a six-month state of emergency.
Despite now sharing the same political party as the majority of the lawmakers, the executive-legislative rift appears rooted in an unresolved dispute with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Pro-Wike lawmakers continue to hold the majority in the House, accusing the Governor of reneging on a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in mid-2025.
Conclusion: A State in Flux
The initiation of impeachment proceedings marks the second major attempt to remove Governor Fubara in less than three years. For investors and residents of Rivers State, this development heightens concerns regarding administrative stability and the delivery of public services, as the 2026 budget remains in limbo. As the seven-day window for service of the notice elapses, the focus shifts to the judiciary and the executive's legal response to what supporters of the Governor have already described as a "politically motivated" maneuver.
