RIVERS ASSEMBLY MOVES TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR FUBARA

The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read aloud the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. The notice, signed by 26 members of the House, listed seven points of alleged gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. Speaker Amaewhule stated the notice would be formally served to Fubara within seven days.
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations against Deputy Governor Oduh. The accusations included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper screening, and bypassing the legitimate House for budget approvals, among other claims.
This marks the second attempt to impeach the governor and his deputy, following a similar move in March 2025, when tensions escalated between Fubara and the former governor, Nyesom Wike. That crisis led President Bola Tinubu to intervene, declaring a state of emergency, suspending Fubara, Oduh, and the entire Assembly for six months, and appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) as administrator.
Fubara returned to office after the six-month suspension following a reconciliation brokered between him, Wike—now the FCT Minister—and the lawmakers. In December 2025, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), shortly after some Assembly members had also joined the APC. On the defection, Fubara stated that his decision was to align fully with the President, describing it as a move away from “backyard support” toward full political alignment.
The current impeachment move signals a renewed political showdown in the oil-rich state, reflecting continuing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.