BREAKING: Lawyers Write INEC, Begin Recall Process Against Rivers Assembly Members Over Impeachment Move

A coalition of lawyers under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), initiating a recall process against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and 25 other lawmakers.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the move is tied to the controversial impeachment notice issued against the Governor of Rivers State.

In a letter dated January 8, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman in Abuja, ALDRAP accused the legislators of acting in defiance of the spirit and letter of a Supreme Court judgment delivered in February 2025.

 

The apex court had urged all parties in the Rivers political conflict to pursue peaceful coexistence and exhaust amicable methods for resolving disputes, rather than resorting to confrontational actions capable of destabilising governance.

 

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The lawyers’ letter, signed by ALDRAP Secretary Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, formally placed INEC on notice of its intention to commence the constitutional process for recalling the affected lawmakers.

The group also requested certified true copies (CTCs) of the voter registers for all state constituencies represented in the Rivers State House of Assembly, documents deemed essential to initiate the recall under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

ALDRAP emphasised that its members include lawyers who are constituents across Rivers State, providing them with both legal standing and civic interest to demand accountability from elected representatives. The letter described the lawmakers’ impeachment notice as “belligerent conduct,” highlighting that their actions contradicted the Supreme Court’s February 2025 guidance for de-escalation and reconciliation.

“Contrary to the judgment of February 2025 of the Supreme Court of Nigeria that enjoined the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to work in peaceful harmony with the Governor of Rivers State by exploring and exhausting amicable methods to resolve conflicts, the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have once again initiated belligerent methods,” the letter stated.

 

ALDRAP further described the situation as “ironic,” noting that both the governor and the legislators involved belong to the same political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The group argued that the crisis should have been resolved internally within the party rather than through actions capable of paralysing governance and prolonging political uncertainty in the state.

Under Nigerian law, voters possess the constitutional right to recall elected representatives deemed unfit to continue in office. The recall process requires a petition signed by more than half of registered voters in the affected constituency, verification of the signatures by INEC, and a referendum to determine whether the lawmaker should be removed.

 

ALDRAP’s request for voter registers signals its intention to follow this legal framework, framing the recall as a civic response to perceived legislative recklessness.

Political analysts note that recall processes in Nigeria are uncommon and often face logistical, legal, and political challenges. However, the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, given its intensity and national attention, may test the practical application of the constitutional provisions.

The recall notice comes amid a prolonged political standoff in Rivers State, where tensions between the executive and legislative branches have escalated since the impeachment threat against the governor emerged.

 

The controversy has elicited widespread national attention, with civil society groups, legal experts, and political stakeholders weighing in on the potential impact on democracy and governance.

Observers have warned that the political deadlock could distract from critical governance functions, especially as Rivers State faces economic pressures, infrastructural deficits, and rising social demands.

 

Some commentators argue that the recall initiative reflects growing public frustration with elite power struggles, particularly when these conflicts appear detached from the concerns of ordinary citizens.

INEC is expected to acknowledge ALDRAP’s letter and respond according to its constitutional mandate. While the commission is not automatically obliged to release voter registers, the formal notice ensures the matter is formally placed on INEC’s agenda.

Should the recall process proceed, it may open a new chapter in Rivers State politics and establish a precedent for civic engagement in holding legislators accountable. The initiative underscores the constitutional mechanisms available to citizens seeking redress for perceived legislative misconduct.

For now, attention remains focused on INEC, the Rivers State House of Assembly, and key political actors, as the state braces for what could become another extended phase of political and legal contestation. Analysts stress that the situation will test the interplay between constitutional provisions, judicial guidance, and citizen activism in shaping governance outcomes.

Ejes Gist News will continue to track developments and provide updates on the recall process and its implications for political stability in Rivers State.