Prosper Okoye
The Rivers State House of Assembly has paused impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following a series of legal and political obstacles.
The decision was taken on Thursday after court injunctions and consultations stalled the process, which was first launched in January over allegations of gross misconduct.
During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Major Jack presented seven allegations against Fubara under Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. These included the demolition of the Assembly complex, unauthorised spending, withholding funds from the Assembly Service Commission, and failing to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the legislature’s financial autonomy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDeputy Leader Linda Stewart also submitted accusations against Odu, citing unconstitutional expenditure, obstruction of Assembly work, approving budgets through unauthorised channels, and withholding staff salaries and allowances. Twenty-six lawmakers had signed the notice, which was to be forwarded to the governor.
The impeachment effort soon ran into legal hurdles. Rivers State Chief Judge Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi declined to constitute the required seven-member investigative panel, citing an interim injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court on 16 January 2026. The restraining order, granted by Justice Florence A. Fiberesima, barred the Chief Judge, Speaker, and Clerk from further action while the governor and his deputy challenged the process in court.
The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also opposed the impeachment, calling it “destabilising and unnecessary.”
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Tinubu Again Meets Wike, Fubara Over Rivers Political Crisis
Last week, President Bola Tinubu reportedly held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa with Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the governor’s political godfather. Wike later confirmed the meeting, which he said was initiated by the President to resolve the crisis in Rivers State. The meeting, held on 9 February, followed a third impeachment notice issued by lawmakers believed to be loyal to Wike.
This is the second attempt to remove Fubara and Odu. A previous impeachment move in March 2025, stemming from tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, escalated into a major political crisis. President Tinubu then declared a state of emergency, suspended the governor, deputy governor, and lawmakers for six months, and appointed Ibok Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
