The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn as the State House of Assembly has officially begun impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu. The move follows months of escalating tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
At a plenary session led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, 26 lawmakers signed a notice of impeachment accusing the governor of gross misconduct, abuse of office, extra-budgetary spending, and deliberate obstruction of legislative functions. The notice also cited the controversial demolition of the Assembly complex and the governor’s alleged refusal to implement financial autonomy as ordered by the Supreme Court. Deputy Governor Odu was similarly accused of unauthorized appointments and financial irregularities.
This is the second major impeachment push against Fubara, as previous attempts in 2025 were stalled by legal and political backlash. The lawmakers, many of whom are believed to be loyal to Wike, claim the governor has breached agreements and undermined state governance.
Fubara’s allies have described the impeachment plot as politically motivated, warning it could destabilize the state and undermine democratic processes.
According to the Nigerian Constitution, Fubara and his deputy must be formally served the notice. If a panel is constituted and the allegations are upheld, a two-thirds majority vote could lead to their removal. In such a case, the Speaker would assume the role of acting governor.
As tensions rise, observers are calling for restraint, dialogue, and adherence to constitutional processes to prevent a full-blown political crisis in one of Nigeria’s key oil-producing states.
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