Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The move, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule and lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has heightened political uncertainty in the state.
A notice of alleged gross misconduct was served to the governor and his deputy in two separate letters signed by Amaewhule on March 17, 2025.
The notice followed a March 14 letter signed by 26 lawmakers, listing constitutional breaches attributed to the governor, including alleged reckless public expenditure and obstruction of legislative duties.
The development has sparked concerns among Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council, who have strongly opposed the impeachment move.
They warned that removing Fubara, an Ijaw indigene, could lead to unrest and disrupt oil production in the region.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu recently engaged leaders of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to mediate. Addressing the delegation, Tinubu emphasized the importance of stability in the Niger Delta, saying, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.”
He urged PANDEF leaders to counsel Fubara toward peace and stability.
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Despite mediation efforts, tensions remain high. Last week, Wike, in a media chat, dismissed threats against oil installations and backed the lawmakers, stating they could proceed with the impeachment if necessary.
Attempts by Fubara to present the state budget, following a Supreme Court ruling affirming the Assembly’s legitimacy, were thwarted by the lawmakers.
The allegations against Fubara include appointing officials without legislative screening, withholding funds meant for the Assembly, and approving withdrawals from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund without an approved appropriation law.
Recall that on March 3, 2025, News Round The Clock reported that the lawmakers, now affirmed by the Supreme Court as the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, maintained their stance that Governor Fubara must formally present the 2025 budget for legislative approval.
Fubara had initially signed the N1.1 trillion budget into law on January 2, following its passage by the faction of lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. However, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling nullified all legislative decisions made by the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly, reinforcing the legitimacy of Amaewhule’s group and setting the stage for the current standoff.
A similar notice was served to Prof. Odu, accusing her of complicity in the alleged financial mismanagement and failure to comply with constitutional provisions.
Speaker Amaewhule, in his letter to the governor and deputy, acknowledged receipt of the allegations and requested their formal response, citing constitutional provisions for impeachment proceedings.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, criticized the lawmakers, warning that their actions could cripple the state’s economy.
“It is clear that with the current actions of the Assembly, civil servants, retirees, and the people of the state will face unimaginable economic hardships,” he said.
He further accused the lawmakers of frustrating Fubara’s efforts to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, warning that continued political instability could push the state into a deeper crisis.
“Should this opportunity to pull the state from the precipice fail, the people and residents of the state are bound to suffer avoidable calamities,” he cautioned.
