Rivers Crisis Escalates as Assembly Moves to Impeach Governor Fubara, APC, INC, IYC Push Back

Fubara-and-Rivers-State-House-of-Assembly

PORT HARCOURT — The political crisis in Rivers State escalated sharply on Thursday as the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, triggering strong resistance from the All Progressives Congress (APC), socio-cultural groups, and youth organisations across the state.

The renewed confrontation has deepened existing political fault lines, pitting the legislature against the executive, while exposing fractures within major political parties and raising fresh concerns about governance stability in one of Nigeria’s most strategic states.

Overview

Rivers State has remained politically volatile since 2023, following a prolonged power struggle that culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025 and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator for six months. Although the emergency rule ended and democratic governance was restored, political tensions never fully abated.

Governor Fubara’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, along with the defection of about 17 lawmakers to the ruling party in December 2025, was widely seen as a strategic move to stabilize his position. However, the impeachment proceedings have upended those assumptions, marking the third impeachment attempt against Fubara since he assumed office.

Key Facts and Confirmed Details

The Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened from recess ahead of schedule to commence impeachment proceedings.
Proceedings target Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.
Allegations include gross misconduct, failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill, and misappropriation of funds.
At least 26 of the 32 lawmakers signed the notice of impeachment.
The Assembly adjourned proceedings to January 15, with impeachment notices to be served within seven days.

Why the Assembly Says Fubara and Odu Must Go

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, said the impeachment process was driven primarily by the governor’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 budget and what lawmakers described as persistent extra-budgetary spending.

Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Majority Leader, Major Jack, outlined seven allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, including:

Demolition of the Assembly complex
Spending outside the approved appropriation law
Withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission
Disregard for the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy

Separate allegations were also raised against Deputy Governor Odu, including unconstitutional spending, obstruction of legislative duties, and approving budgets outside the authority of the Assembly.

Speaker Amaewhule’s Remarks

Addressing lawmakers, Amaewhule accused the governor of deliberately undermining legislative authority.

He argued that Rivers State was in an unprecedented situation, claiming that Fubara and his deputy were the only sub-national executives yet to present a 2026 appropriation bill.

According to him, governance had suffered as a result, citing failing schools, poor roads, underperforming health facilities, and rising unemployment.

Amaewhule further alleged that the governor abandoned approved budgets and awarded contracts outside legal appropriations, describing the situation as a threat to democracy and constitutional order.

APC Rejects Impeachment, Warns Against Destabilisation

The Rivers APC rejected the impeachment proceedings, urging lawmakers to resist what it described as external pressure aimed at destabilising an APC-led government.

Factional APC spokesman Darlington Nwauju said the impeachment move was an unfortunate carryover of internal PDP conflicts into the ruling party.

According to the APC, the impeachment argument based on budget presentation is flawed, noting that during emergency rule, a ₦1.485 trillion budget was lawfully transmitted to and passed by the National Assembly in mid-2025, with validity extending until August 2026.

The party maintained that the constitution allows governors to operate temporarily without presenting a fresh budget and warned that continuing the impeachment process could damage the APC’s image nationally.

A second APC faction led by Chief Emeka Beke echoed the same position, insisting that impeachment was neither timely nor justified.

PDP Split as Wike-Aligned Faction Backs Assembly

The impeachment process has exposed a sharp split within the PDP.

A Wike-aligned caretaker committee of the party endorsed the Assembly’s actions, framing the impeachment as a constitutional rather than political issue. Its spokesperson argued that since Fubara had left the PDP, the party bore no responsibility to shield him and that allegations of misconduct deserved due scrutiny.

In contrast, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) adopted a cautious stance, saying it was monitoring developments and withholding official comment pending further clarity.

INC and IYC Urge Assembly to Drop Impeachment

Socio-cultural and youth groups have emerged as some of the strongest voices opposing the impeachment.

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) described the process as an assault on democracy, warning that Rivers State risks descending into renewed instability.

INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the crisis reflected a dangerous concentration of power and warned against turning Rivers State into a “personal estate.”

Similarly, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) urged lawmakers to allow Governor Fubara to complete his tenure, arguing that prolonged political battles were harming development and ordinary citizens.

IYC President Dr. Alaye Theophilus questioned the substance of the allegations and challenged the Assembly to publicly identify specific budgetary violations.

ADC Monitoring Situation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a neutral stance, saying it is closely studying unfolding events before making a formal pronouncement.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would only respond after a careful and informed assessment of the situation.

Why This Story Matters

This impeachment attempt carries significant implications:

Governance Stability: Rivers State is economically critical to Nigeria, and prolonged political instability threatens development and investment.
Rule of Law: The case tests constitutional boundaries between executive authority and legislative oversight.
Party Politics: The crisis exposes the fragility of party cohesion, even within the ruling APC.
Democratic Confidence: Repeated impeachment attempts risk eroding public trust in democratic institutions.

Educational Explainer: How Impeachment Works in Nigeria

Under Section 188 of the Constitution, impeachment requires:

A signed notice by at least one-third of lawmakers
Service of the notice on the governor
Investigation by a judicial panel
A two-thirds majority vote for removal

The process is designed to prevent abuse, but critics argue it is often weaponised for political leverage.

What Happens Next

Impeachment notices are expected to be formally served within seven days.
The Assembly has adjourned proceedings until January 15.
Political pressure from parties, civil groups, and federal actors is likely to intensify.
Legal challenges may emerge if procedural violations are alleged.

Why This Matters to Readers

For Rivers residents, this crisis affects:

Public services and infrastructure delivery
Political representation and democratic rights
Economic confidence and job creation

For Nigerians nationwide, it highlights recurring challenges in managing political conflict within constitutional limits.

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Summary

Rivers State has once again been plunged into political uncertainty as the House of Assembly moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. While the legislature insists it is acting within constitutional limits, the APC, INC, IYC, and other stakeholders warn that the move could destabilise the state. With this being the third impeachment attempt in three years, all eyes are now on January 15 to see whether the process advances or collapses under mounting resistance.

Readers are encouraged to share their views in the comments and stay informed.

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