By Adejola Adeyemi Crown
The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with Speaker Martins Amaewhule describing the governor as a “mistake” and accusing him of gross misconduct.
The impeachment process began after the House reversed its earlier plan to resume plenary on January 26, opting instead to reconvene on Thursday.
During the session, Majority Leader Major Jack read a notice of allegations signed by 26 lawmakers, accusing Fubara of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Among the accusations, the governor is said to have converted state funds into dollars and allegedly paid individuals in Abuja to influence President Tinubu to intervene and prevent the Assembly from summoning him to present the 2026 budget.
Amaewhule said the notice would be formally served on the governor within seven days, stressing that the process would continue even if Fubara attempts to present the appropriation bill or the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework while the allegations are under investigation.
“The particulars of gross misconduct have a lot to do with refusal to present a budget and spending outside the appropriation law,” the Speaker said.
He further described Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, as the only subnational leaders in Nigeria yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill.
Amaewhule accused the governor of undermining the legislature and boasting of seeking presidential intervention to restrain the Assembly, referring to the 10th Rivers Assembly as a “toothless bulldog.”
“Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake; Rivers State has never had it this bad,” the Speaker added. “If left unchecked, their actions pose a threat to democracy.”
Amaewhule noted that multiple meetings with President Tinubu and former Governor Nyesom Wike were held in efforts to resolve the budget standoff, but no resolution was reached.
The Assembly has now set the stage for a full investigation into the allegations against the governor, signaling a deepening political crisis in the state.
Rivers Governor Travels Abroad Amid Impeachment, Budget Halt
Political tension in Rivers State escalated yesterday as the House of Assembly barred Governor Siminalayi Fubara from presenting the state’s Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2026 budget, even as the governor reportedly travelled abroad to brief President Bola Tinubu on the crisis.
Sources at Government House, Port Harcourt, said Fubara left the country alongside his unofficial Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, aboard a Rivers State Government-owned private jet.
The trip is understood to be aimed at informing the President of the Assembly’s sudden commencement of impeachment proceedings against him.
The House of Assembly, in a plenary session, formally initiated impeachment moves against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The allegations include failure to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework and spending public funds without legislative approval, which lawmakers said undermined constitutional provisions.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule insisted the impeachment process is strictly constitutional, not personal. “This is not about personalities. The governor is not fighting any individual; he is fighting against the Constitution,” he said.
He added that Fubara’s actions allegedly disregarded resolutions reached during previous interventions by President Tinubu, worsening the standoff between the executive and legislature.
Meanwhile, a coalition of APC leaders under the APC Leaders Forum and Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement called for the removal of former governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a letter to the President, the groups accused Wike of insubordination, anti-party activities, and political sabotage, warning that his continued presence in the cabinet could destabilize the party and the state.
Residents have also expressed concern over the renewed political hostilities, describing the impeachment push as ill-timed and detrimental to the state’s economic and social development. Former Special Adviser to Wike, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, warned that the political tug-of-war could further destabilize Rivers State.
The African Democratic Congress said it is closely monitoring events before taking a position on the impeachment process, emphasizing the need for careful assessment.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, through spokesman Enemi George, maintained that the governor had repeatedly breached constitutional provisions, including reckless spending of state funds and failure to appoint commissioners as required.
The Assembly insists the impeachment process will continue to its logical conclusion, regardless of external interventions.
APC kicks against Rivers Assembly move to impeach Fubara
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected the impeachment proceedings initiated by the State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, warning that the move could destabilise the state.
The party stated this in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, following the formal commencement of impeachment proceedings by the lawmakers over allegations of gross misconduct.
While addressing the House during the plenary, the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, had described the governor as a mistake and accused him of actions that allegedly amounted to gross misconduct.
Reacting to the development, the APC said it was unacceptable for the party to remain silent while what it described as internal political disputes were allowed to escalate to the point of impeachment.
“The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has been drawn to the latest unfortunate developments coming out from the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the statement read.
“We concede that the legislature is an independent arm in the tripod of governance, and the constitutional responsibilities of checks and balances are within its democratic purview. However, our position as of today is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our Governor and his deputy.”
The party noted that the impeachment threat appeared to be linked to budgetary issues and questioned the basis for the action, citing constitutional provisions and existing fiscal approvals.
“It is important to remind Rivers people and Nigerians that under the period of emergency rule, a budget was transmitted in May 2025 and duly approved by the National Assembly in June and July 2025 for a total sum of ₦1.485 trillion,” the APC stated.
“Interestingly, this budget is for one year and should run until August 2026. If the Governor is comfortable with the composition of the budget, he may elect not to present a supplementary budget. Besides, the constitution allows for a six month spending window into a new fiscal year by a state governor.”
The APC further cautioned members of the House against external influence, urging lawmakers, especially those elected on the party’s platform, to resist pressures capable of destabilising the administration.
“We strongly advise all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, particularly APC members, to resist pressures from outside the Assembly chambers to destabilise the Government of Rivers State, led by His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara,” the statement said.
“Let it be known that our party will do everything possible to ensure that the Government of Rivers State, which is an APC government, is not destabilised through internal disagreements.”
The party concluded by calling on the lawmakers to immediately discontinue the impeachment process in the interest of democratic stability and development in the state, stressing that it would do everything possible to protect its government from internal strife.
Rivers Youth Groups Divided Over Fubara Impeachment Move
Port Harcourt – Youth organizations in Rivers State are at odds over the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Rivers State Youth Parliament (RSYP), led by Speaker Wisdom Bruce, expressed support for the State House of Assembly’s decision to investigate the governor on alleged gross misconduct. In a statement, Bruce described the action as “timely and necessary in the overriding interest of peace, stability, democratic governance, and the collective future of the people of Rivers State.”
The RSYP highlighted a history of political tension, breaches of peace accords, and breakdowns of trust among stakeholders in the state. It stressed that impeachment, as provided under the Constitution, is a legitimate democratic process meant to safeguard governance, uphold the rule of law, and protect public interest. The group warned that prolonged political crises could further harm economic growth, investor confidence, and employment opportunities for youths.
In contrast, the South South Youths Initiative (SSYI) condemned the impeachment move, calling it sudden, ill-conceived, and potentially destabilising. National President Imeabe Saviour Oscar said the action came at a time when Rivers people expected cooperation between the executive and legislature to restore effective governance after six months of near-collapse under emergency rule.
Saviour appealed to lawmakers to focus on governance rather than political distractions, urging Governor Fubara to remain focused amid the unfolding political tension.
