The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
At Thursday’s plenary session, which was presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and broadcast live on Channels Television, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally presented a notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused Governor Fubara of actions said to be in violation of the Nigerian Constitution. Amaewhule disclosed that the impeachment notice would be formally served on the governor within seven days.
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of alleged gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Ngozi Odu.
Citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Major Jack outlined seven allegations against Fubara. These include the demolition of the Assembly Complex, unauthorized expenditure outside the approved budget, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and failure to comply with a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the legislature.
After the notice against the governor was submitted, Stewart also laid before the House allegations against Odu. The accusations include unconstitutional spending of public funds, hindering the Rivers State House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, and allegedly facilitating the occupation of offices by unapproved individuals without clearance from the legitimate Assembly.
Other claims against the deputy governor include seeking budget approvals from unauthorized groups, withholding salaries and allowances meant for lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission, and undermining the authority of the House.
This development marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu, following an earlier move by lawmakers in March 2025. During that period, tensions escalated after the governor’s fallout with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing Section 305(5) of the Constitution. The president suspended the governor, his deputy, and all elected members of the Assembly for an initial six-month period and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s administrator.
After six months, Fubara was reinstated following reconciliation efforts involving Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—and the lawmakers.
In December, Governor Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Explaining his decision, he said full alignment with President Tinubu was necessary to ensure genuine political support.
His defection occurred shortly after several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the APC.
