BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Begins Fresh Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

The political atmosphere in Rivers State has again been thrown into uncertainty following the commencement of fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The move, which unfolded during plenary on Thursday, marks another major escalation in the protracted power struggle that has defined governance and party politics in the oil-rich state over the past year.

The proceedings were initiated during a sitting of the House presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. At the session, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Major Jack, formally read out a notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct leveled against Governor Fubara. The notice, which reportedly bears the signatures of 26 lawmakers, accuses the governor of actions said to be contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

According to details presented on the floor of the House, the lawmakers allege that the governor’s conduct amounts to constitutional breaches serious enough to warrant impeachment, as provided for under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). While the full particulars of the allegations were not immediately made public, the Assembly leadership maintained that the process being followed is strictly in line with constitutional provisions and legislative procedures.

Speaker Amaewhule, addressing the lawmakers after the notice was read, stated that the Assembly would ensure due process is followed at every stage of the impeachment proceedings. He disclosed that the notice of allegations would be formally served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in compliance with constitutional requirements. Once served, the governor will have a stipulated period within which to respond to the allegations, either personally or through legal representation.

“The House will not be stampeded or intimidated,” Amaewhule reportedly said, emphasizing that the lawmakers were acting within their constitutional mandate. He added that the Assembly remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the legislature.

In a similar development during the same plenary session, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Linda Stewart, read out a separate notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh. The notice against the deputy governor mirrors the process initiated against Governor Fubara, indicating that both top executive office holders in the state are now facing the prospect of impeachment simultaneously.

The decision to move against both the governor and his deputy underscores the depth of the political crisis in Rivers State, which has been characterized by sharp divisions within the political class, particularly following the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Since assuming office, Fubara has found himself locked in a fierce battle for control of the state’s political machinery, a struggle that has repeatedly spilled into the legislative arena.

This is not the first time impeachment threats have loomed over the Fubara administration. In late 2023 and throughout 2024, Rivers State witnessed a series of dramatic confrontations between the executive and the legislature, including parallel sittings, court orders, and disputes over the legitimacy of Assembly leadership. Those earlier attempts at impeachment were either stalled or suspended amid legal interventions and political negotiations, but the underlying tensions never fully abated.

Thursday’s development suggests that the truce, if any, has completely broken down. Observers say the fresh impeachment move could further polarize the state and potentially plunge it into another prolonged period of instability, with far-reaching implications for governance, security, and economic activities.

Legal experts note that impeachment is a complex and multi-stage process under Nigerian law. After the notice of allegations is served, the governor and deputy governor are entitled to respond within 14 days. If the House is not satisfied with the response, it may pass a motion, supported by a two-thirds majority, requesting the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a seven-member investigative panel to probe the allegations. Only if the panel finds the allegations proven, and the House subsequently adopts the report with the required majority, can the governor or deputy governor be removed from office.

Political analysts also point out that while the Assembly currently claims the support of 26 members, the legitimacy and composition of the House itself have been subjects of intense legal and political contestation. Court rulings, defections, and factional disputes have all contributed to uncertainty over who constitutes the authentic Rivers State House of Assembly, a factor that could significantly affect the impeachment process.

As news of the impeachment proceedings spread, reactions began to pour in from across the state. Supporters of Governor Fubara described the move as politically motivated, arguing that it is part of a broader effort to weaken the governor and force him into submission. Some civil society groups also expressed concern, warning that repeated impeachment threats distract from governance and undermine democratic stability.

On the other hand, lawmakers backing the impeachment insist that their actions are not driven by personal or factional interests but by a duty to hold the executive accountable. They argue that impeachment, though drastic, is a constitutional mechanism designed to check abuse of power and ensure adherence to the rule of law.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Fubara nor Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh had issued an official response to the latest impeachment move. However, sources close to the Government House indicate that the governor is consulting with his legal and political advisers on the appropriate next steps.

With the notice set to be served in the coming days, Rivers State now stands at another critical crossroads. Whether the impeachment proceedings will progress to their conclusion or be halted by legal challenges, political negotiations, or federal intervention remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the battle for power in Rivers State is far from over, and its outcome could reshape the state’s political future in profound ways.