Rivers Lawmakers Begin Impeachment of Governor Fubara as Four Lawmakers Withdraw Support

Rivers State lawmakers loyal to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, have commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, even as four legislators who initially supported the move have publicly withdrawn their backing.

Ejes Gist News reports that the impeachment process began formally at the first plenary session of the year on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when notices alleging gross misconduct were read against the governor and his deputy. The allegations include the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex and expenditure without legislative approval.

The impeachment action unfolds against the backdrop of a prolonged political struggle in Rivers State between factions aligned with Governor Fubara and those loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The Assembly leadership under Mr. Amaewhule is widely recognised as aligned with Wike’s political interest.

Impeachment Proceedings Commenced

At the plenary session where the impeachment process was initiated, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations citing alleged breaches of the Nigerian Constitution by Governor Fubara and his deputy. The impeachment notice was reportedly supported by a majority of the 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Following the commencement of the impeachment process, the House adjourned its sittings and scheduled a reconvening date for Thursday, January 15, 2026. However, lawmakers did not resume on that date, with the legislature’s conference hall along Aba Road remaining largely inactive. No official explanation for the delay in reconvening was provided by the House leadership.

On Friday, January 16, 2026, the House Majority Leader, Jack, said at a press conference held in Port Harcourt that the impeachment process has commenced and they are not backing down. He described the governor as authoritarian, clarified that they are also Ijaw and that the matter is not about tribe, and affirmed that the impeachment will proceed as planned.

Withdrawal of Four Lawmakers

In a development that has weakened the momentum of the impeachment effort, four lawmakers who initially signed the impeachment notice have publicly withdrawn their support.

The legislators who have stepped back from the impeachment process are:

• Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, Minority Leader representing Omuma Constituency;
• Peter Abbey, representing Degema Constituency;
• Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I;
• Emilia Amadi, representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II.

Sylvanus Nwankwo and Peter Abbey were the first to urge colleagues to reconsider the impeachment move, calling for restraint and dialogue amid state tensions. They cited concerns that the legislature should pursue political solutions and broader consensus rather than escalate conflict.

Barile Nwakoh and Emilia Amadi followed suit, urging their colleagues to conditionally discontinue the impeachment process. The two lawmakers acknowledged that while constitutional breaches could be a matter of concern, broader stakeholder interventions and appeals for stability encouraged them to reconsider their positions.

The withdrawal of support by these four legislators has reduced the number of lawmakers backing the impeachment notice, raising questions about whether the Assembly can maintain the required two‑thirds majority to sustain the process.

Political Context and Legislative Tension

The impeachment move comes amid longstanding political friction in Rivers State. Disputes between Governor Fubara and the Wike‑aligned faction in the House of Assembly have repeatedly disrupted governance. Relations deteriorated over disagreements on the presentation of the budget and the handling of state appointments, leading to repeated clashes between the executive and legislative arms.

Earlier in the decade‑long political crisis, the visual demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex and parallel governance claims contributed to heightened tensions. Allegations of constitutional violations and contested party loyalty among lawmakers have frequently surfaced in litigation and public statements.

Despite the impeachment notice and related political pressure, the Assembly has also indicated that there will be no immediate political solution to halt the process. Spokespersons for the House have reiterated that the legislature intends to pursue constitutional procedures, despite calls for dialogue and political negotiations.

Public Reaction and Calls for Stability

The impeachment proceedings and the subsequent withdrawal of backing by some lawmakers have drawn attention from civic groups and political stakeholders. Certain coalitions and community organisations have warned that disrupting governance via impeachment could have adverse consequences for public administration, urging a return to constitutional dialogue and stability.

As the political situation continues to evolve, citizens and observers are watching closely whether the House of Assembly will reconvene to progress the impeachment process or pivot toward legislative engagement that defuses tensions.

No official statement has yet been issued by Governor Fubara’s office in response to the latest developments in the impeachment process.