Rivers Assembly Serves Fubara, Deputy Impeachment Notice

The political warfare in Rivers State has escalated to a definitive constitutional showdown as Speaker Martin Amaewhule officially transmitted a notice of gross misconduct to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The transmission, which occurred on Thursday, marks the formal commencement of the third impeachment attempt against the state’s top executives since they assumed office in 2023. The documents, citing grave violations of the 1999 Constitution, were backed by twenty-six lawmakers, meeting the required two-thirds threshold to trigger the process.

The allegations leveled against the Governor are both extensive and severe, painting a picture of an administration operating outside the bounds of legislative oversight. Central to the charges is the claim that Fubara has engaged in reckless and unconstitutional expenditure, effectively running the state’s finances without an approved 2026 Appropriation Bill. Speaker Amaewhule described the situation as a “sad commentary for democracy,” noting that Rivers remains the only state in the country yet to present a budget for the new fiscal year.

Other counts of misconduct include the controversial demolition of the House of Assembly complex, the withholding of statutory funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and the seizure of salaries belonging to the Clerk of the House and other legislative members. The lawmakers further accused the Governor of making illegal appointments without the mandatory screening and approval of the House. These actions, the Assembly argues, constitute a deliberate attempt to hinder the legislature from performing its constitutional duties.

The Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, is similarly entangled in the proceedings, with accusations focusing on her alleged role in approving expenditures outside the recognized legislative framework. While the Speaker correctly addressed Odu as “madam” in the official correspondence, social media was set abuzz after it was observed that the letter sent to Governor Fubara also addressed him as “madam.” Observers have debated whether the naming was a clerical error or a calculated act of political derision by the pro-Wike legislative camp.

This latest move comes on the heels of renewed hostilities between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The rift has seen both men defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, yet the change in partisan affiliation has failed to douse the flames of their rivalry. Wike has recently stepped up his public criticisms, declaring that he will not support Fubara’s future political ambitions, while the Governor has increasingly asserted his independence from his former benefactor.

The constitutional clock is now ticking for the Governor and his deputy, who have been given a seven-day window to provide a formal response to the charges. Under Section 188 of the Constitution, once a response is received—or if the deadline passes—the House must vote within fourteen days on whether to investigate the claims. If two-thirds of the members support an investigation, the state’s Chief Judge will be mandated to appoint a seven-man panel to probe the allegations and report back within three months.

Despite the gravity of the notices, reports suggest that a quiet diplomatic effort is underway behind the scenes. High-ranking members of the All Progressives Congress and the Presidency are said to be exploring a “political solution” to prevent a total breakdown of order in the oil-rich state. This follows a period of emergency rule in 2025, and there is a shared anxiety among national leaders that a prolonged impeachment battle could destabilize the Niger Delta region and impact national economic interests.

As the state awaits the executive’s response, the streets of Port Harcourt remain tense, with various youth and elder groups expressing divided loyalties. The House has dismissed rumors that the process was suspended, clarifying through its Information Committee that the impeachment remains “fully on course.” For Governor Fubara, the challenge is no longer just political; it is a fight for legal survival that will determine the future of his administration and the democratic stability of Rivers State.