Four Rivers State Lawmakers Reverse Stance, Back Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic U-turn, four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had recently withdrawn their support for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have rescinded that position and now fully endorse the proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The lawmakers—Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo (Minority Leader, Omuma Constituency), Hon. Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), Hon. Barile Nwakoh (Khana I Constituency), and Hon. Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor II Constituency)—made the announcement during a joint press briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday morning.

In a prepared statement, they cited the governor’s alleged lack of remorse, failure to engage meaningfully, and ongoing violations of constitutional provisions as reasons for their renewed support.

“We hereby formally rescind and withdraw our earlier position and appeal for restraint that we made in the past days/weeks,” the statement read.

“After careful consideration of unfolding events and the continued conduct of the Governor, we have come to the conclusion that there has been no demonstration of remorse, no meaningful engagement, and no effort to address the serious allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him.”

The group accused Fubara of disregarding constitutional requirements, including the timely presentation and appropriation of the state budget, and claimed there have been attempts to intimidate Assembly members through agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They described these actions as a “clear and present threat to democracy, the rule of law, and the overall governance of Rivers State.”

This reversal comes just days after the same lawmakers publicly urged their colleagues to halt the impeachment process and pursue a peaceful resolution.

On January 12, Nwankwo and Abbey were the first to withdraw, followed by Nwakoh and Amadi on January 14, bringing the total to four out of the 26 pro-impeachment lawmakers who initially signed the notice of alleged gross misconduct.

Their initial pullback was attributed to interventions from respected stakeholders and elders aiming to de-escalate the crisis.

However, the lawmakers now argue that continuing the impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution is necessary to uphold accountability, calling on all parties to allow the process to proceed without interference.

In a related development, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has directed the state’s Chief Judge to establish a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations against Fubara and Odu.

This move signals that the impeachment process is advancing to its next stage, with lawmakers reaffirming their commitment to seeing it through as the “only solution” to the ongoing political impasse.

The Rivers State Government, however, has denied receiving any formal impeachment notice. In a statement, officials claimed Fubara has not been served with any documents related to the proceedings, dismissing the claims as unsubstantiated.

The crisis in Rivers State has roots in the fallout between Fubara and his political godfather, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

What began as a power struggle shortly after Fubara’s inauguration in May 2023 has escalated into factional divisions within the Assembly, court battles, and even a brief state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

Critics argue the feud has wasted legislative time and resources in one of Nigeria’s wealthiest states, with lawmakers prioritizing survival over governance ahead of upcoming elections.

The Assembly is expected to reconvene soon, where the impeachment push could gain or lose momentum depending on broader political alignments.