Rivers State House of Assembly presses ahead with the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, accusing them of blackmail and constitutional violations. Four lawmakers reverse earlier withdrawals and recommit amid ongoing crisis
Rivers Assembly Reaffirms Impeachment Push Against Gov Siminalayi Fubara as U-Turn by Four Lawmakers Fuels Drama
The Rivers State House of Assembly has firmly declared its intention to proceed with the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, amid escalating political tensions in the oil-rich state.
In a live press conference held in Port Harcourt on Friday, January 16, 2026, lawmakers accused the governor of blackmail, constitutional violations, and a lack of trust essential for resolving the ongoing crisis. They claimed Fubara and his deputy had resorted to intimidating the parliament, leaving the House with no option but to exercise its legislative powers under the 1999 Constitution.
The lawmakers emphasised that the impeachment move, initiated on January 8, 2026, remains on course despite recent withdrawals by some members.
Four lawmakers who had earlier held separate press conferences calling for a political solution have now recanted and reaffirmed their support for continuing the impeachment process.
The Assembly thanked President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the crisis but insisted that the governor’s actions have made impeachment necessary.
The development follows the House’s adjournment on January 8 after serving Fubara a seven-day notice of alleged gross misconduct, including extra-budgetary spending, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of court rulings. The House was scheduled to reconvene on January 15 but failed to sit, fueling speculation amid reports of rumoured plots against the Speaker and growing calls for dialogue.
However, the Friday press conference signals that the majority faction remains committed, potentially intensifying the long-running rift between the governor and the Assembly, which is often linked to broader political alignments involving former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The impeachment bid marks the third attempt against Fubara since 2023, with previous efforts halted by presidential interventions. The situation continues to raise concerns over stability in Rivers State, with more updates expected as the crisis unfolds. Read More
