The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
During plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and broadcast live on Channels Television, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations and gross misconduct against the governor.
The notice, signed by 26 members of the House, was said to be in line with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. Amaewhule stated that the notice would be served to Governor Fubara within the next seven days.
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read out a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Jack outlined seven allegations against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the House.
After the notice against the governor was laid before the Speaker, Stewart also presented the notice against Odu. The allegations against the deputy governor included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, and conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate Assembly.
Other allegations against Odu included approaching another group for budgetary approval instead of the recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the seizure of salaries and allowances due to the House and the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission.
This development marks the second attempt by the lawmakers to impeach Fubara and his deputy, following a similar move in March 2025. At the time, 26 lawmakers accused the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct after Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
As tensions escalated in the state, President Bola Tinubu intervened and declared a state of emergency. He subsequently suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months, citing Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The president also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the administrator of Rivers State.
After six months, Fubara returned as governor following a reconciliation brokered among him, Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—and the lawmakers.
In December, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform he was elected in 2023, to the ruling All Progressives Congress. Explaining his decision, he said the move was necessary to fully align with President Bola Tinubu and avoid “backyard support.”
His defection came days after some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the APC.
Elijah Adeyemi
