Again, Rivers Assembly begins impeachment process against Gov Fubara

Condemns Gov’s continued refusal to respect peace efforts of President Tinubu

APC, PDP, INC, IYC reject impeachment threat against Fubara

Emeka Agu with agency report

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday commenced an impeachment process against Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers and his Deputy, Prof. Nma Odu.

Recall that this is the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu in less than one year, following a similar move in March 2025 amid political fallout between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The crisis led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy and the Assembly for six months and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator.

Fubara later returned to office after a reconciliation process brokered by the president.

At a plenary on Thursday, the House alleged gross misconduct as bases for its move.

Siting Section 188 of the Constitution it resolved to serve the notice of gross misconduct on Fubara and Odu within seven days.

Major Jack (APC Akuku-Toru), Majority Leader, condemned what he described as the continued refusal of the governor to respect the peace efforts of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, Fubara and his deputy had also refused to respect the rules guiding financial transparency and good governance.

“They have repeatedly breached and backtracked on the peace agreement facilitated by the president,” he said.

Mrs Linda Somiari (APC Okrika) said the gross misconduct included ‘obstructing the Rivers House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties’.

She said they were  conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons into positions without tje approval of the House.

Somiari also mentioned non-payment of salaries, allowances and release of funds meant for lawmakers and that of the Clark of the House, Mr Emeka Amadi as part of the infractions.

She said Fubara also failed to implement financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary as well as withholding funds meant for the running of the Assembly Service Commission, among other allegations.

Similarly, the House unanimously supported a motion sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol and Sylvanus Nwanko declining action on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2026 budget.

“According to section 10 of the Rivers State fiscal responsibility law No.8 of 2010, the governor is expected to present the medium term framework every three years.

“As we speak, the last medium term expenditures framework was presented in 2022 by the former governor, Nysom Wike.

“Fubara and his deputy have refused to either present the Medium Term Expenditure Framework or appropriation bill 2026.

“They have continued to illegally spend from the Consolidated funds of the state without approval,” he said.

Responding, the Speaker, Martins Amaewule commended members for the motion saying it was in the state’s best interest.

He promised to ensure that the decision of the House was sent to the governor while also promising to ensure due process in the investigation.

Amaewhule also said that the notice of gross misconduct has opened up an impeachment process that would save democracy from collapsing in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and its youth wing, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to halt ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking on Thursday, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, described the impeachment attempt as “not a matter of the Ijaw nation but of democracy,” urging all defenders of democratic principles to resist what he termed an unfortunate development.

He noted that the crisis had previously been resolved following a six-month suspension of the governor and his deputy, and expressed concern over its resurfacing.

IYC President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, urged the Assembly to focus on areas where the governor allegedly spent funds without budgetary approval rather than pursuing impeachment. He stressed that Fubara should be allowed to complete his tenure peacefully, noting that prolonged political attacks ultimately harm the people of Rivers State.

“The governor has not done anything wrong. He has initiated development projects across the state. This is a time for governance, not war,” Theophilus said.

He also accused lawmakers of disloyalty to President Bola Tinubu, urging them to respect the office and report any alleged misconduct directly to him.

In the same vein, actions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State also rejected the impeachment attempt.

In a statement signed by Darlington Nwauju, a spokesperson for Chief Emeka Beke’s faction, the party reaffirmed the independence of the legislature but described the impeachment process as untenable.

The statement highlighted that the federal budget approved in 2025 provides a legal framework allowing state governors to spend funds within a six-month window at the start of a fiscal year. It warned APC members of the Assembly against being influenced to destabilise the Rivers State government.

Similarly, former PDP spokesperson in the state, Hon. Sydney Tambari, appealed to lawmakers to “sheathe their sword,” noting that Fubara had made significant concessions to maintain peace in the state and describing the impeachment effort as an unfortunate development at the start of the year.