The Rivers State House of Assembly has taken the unusual step of addressing Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “madam” in a formal impeachment notice served on him, even as it begins proceedings to remove him from office.
On Thursday, lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, with the Majority Leader, Major Jack, reading aloud allegations of gross misconduct signed by 26 members of the Assembly.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule said the notice of gross misconduct — a necessary first step under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution — would be officially served on the governor within the next seven days.
When the notice was delivered on January 8, 2026, the letter mistakenly referred to Governor Fubara as “madam.” The same document, correctly addressed as “madam,” was also sent to Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment move is part of a deepening political crisis in Rivers State, where the Assembly has accused Fubara of unauthorised expenditure and other breaches. Many lawmakers in the state legislature are perceived as loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who is reportedly opposing Fubara’s re-election bid.
