Prime Business Africa
By Prosper Okoye
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has rejected impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, warning that the move could destabilise the state.
In a statement on Thursday, the party’s state chapter urged members of the House of Assembly, particularly those from the APC, to halt the process. It said the impeachment attempt reflected unresolved political tensions rather than governance concerns.
The governor has not commented on the allegations, and the national leadership of the APC is yet to react.
Earlier in the day, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara and his deputy, accusing them of gross misconduct.
During plenary presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read out a notice of allegations against the governor, citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution.
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Lawmakers listed seven allegations, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature.
A total of 26 lawmakers signed the notice, which the Speaker said would be forwarded to the governor within seven days.
A separate notice of gross misconduct was also presented against the deputy governor. She was accused of unconstitutional spending, obstructing the Assembly from carrying out its duties, allowing unauthorised persons to occupy offices, and seeking budget approval outside the recognised legislature.
Responding to the development, the Rivers APC said the impeachment move was unnecessary and politically motivated. The party argued that the state is still operating under a one-year budget approved during the period of emergency rule, adding that the constitution allows a governor to continue spending into a new fiscal year.
The party called on lawmakers to discontinue the impeachment process, warning that internal disagreements could harm governance and development in the oil-producing state.
This is the second attempt to impeach Mr Fubara and his deputy. A similar move in March 2025 followed a political fallout between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
As tensions escalated at the time, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspended the governor, his deputy and the state assembly for six months, and appointed a sole administrator.
Mr Fubara later returned to office after a reconciliation brokered between him, Mr Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—and the lawmakers.
In December, the governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023, to the APC. Some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party.
