The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
According to The PUNCH, during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and broadcast live on Channels Television, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read aloud a notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara.
The notice, signed by 26 members of the Assembly, claims the governor’s actions violate the Nigerian Constitution. Amaewhule announced that the notice would be officially served to Fubara within seven days.
Deputy Majority Leader Linda Stewart also read a notice outlining allegations of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Oduh.
Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, Jack listed seven points of alleged misconduct against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of the House.
After the notice against Fubara was presented, Stewart followed with allegations against Oduh.
These included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the House from performing its constitutional duties, allowing unauthorized persons to occupy offices without proper screening, seeking budgetary approvals from groups outside the legitimate Assembly, and seizing salaries and allowances due to the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission.
This marks the second attempt by the lawmakers to remove Fubara and Oduh, following a similar move in March 2025.
At that time, 26 members accused the governor and deputy governor of gross misconduct after Fubara’s falling out with the immediate former governor, Nyesom Wike.
The political tension in the oil-rich state led President Bola Tinubu to intervene, declaring a state of emergency.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu said, citing Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) was appointed as the state administrator.
Fubara returned to office after six months following a reconciliatory effort involving him, Wike, who is now the FCT Minister and the state lawmakers.
In December, Fubara left the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he was elected in 2023, to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Reflecting on his decision, he said, “We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support. So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to APC.”
His defection followed the move of several Rivers State Assembly members who had also joined the APC in recent weeks.
