All Rivers lawmakers back impeachment, ask Chief Judge to probe Fubara, Odu

The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally called on the state’s Chief Judge to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the deputy, Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct, as impeachment proceedings against the pair gain momentum.

During Friday’s plenary, 25 lawmakers voted to refer the matter to the judiciary for further probe under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The allegations against the governor and his deputy include budgetary mismanagement, failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the assembly, unauthorised spending of public funds, withholding statutory allocations to the legislature, and other actions deemed grossly improper.

Speaker Martins Amaewhule, presiding over the session, directed the assembly clerk to write formally to the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-member panel to examine the claims. The move marks the next stage in the impeachment process, which began on January 8 when notices were served on Fubara and Odu.

Four Lawmakers Reverse Position, Reaffirm Impeachment

The impeachment process received a major boost on Friday as four lawmakers who had earlier urged a suspension of the proceedings reversed their stance and pledged support for Fubara and Odu’s removal.

At a press conference in Port Harcourt, Sylvanus Nwankwo, minority leader representing Omuma constituency, said the shift came after observing that the governor and his deputy were unwilling to govern in accordance with the constitution.

“We initially asked colleagues to explore a political solution, but while that appeal was pending, the governor and his deputy used media aides to attack the assembly instead of seeking resolution,” Nwankwo said. “We have rescinded our plea. The impeachment process must continue.”

Amadi Emilia, representing Obio/Akpor constituency II, added that the governor misread the assembly’s earlier restraint as weakness. “We had hoped for a political solution, but both the governor and deputy are ignoring the house and sidelining us,” she said.

The four lawmakers had previously joined Minority Leader Nwankwo, Peter Abbey (Degema constituency), and Barile Nwakoh (Khana I) in urging colleagues to halt the impeachment in the interest of peace and stability.

Political Tensions Escalate

The proceedings have heightened political tensions in Rivers, with long-standing rifts between the executive and legislative branches. Many lawmakers remain loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has campaigned against Fubara’s re-election, accusing him of breaching a peace agreement signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the state’s emergency rule.

As the Chief Judge’s investigative panel prepares to examine the allegations, the state braces for what could become a landmark political showdown in Rivers.