Rivers State’s political crisis escalated yesterday as the House of Assembly claimed that efforts are underway to derail impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara through restraining orders from courts outside Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George, the Assembly reported that it had received “credible information” regarding these alleged maneuvers.
This allegation comes amid a growing political crisis in the state.
Last Thursday, the House, via a motion sponsored by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, resolved to initiate an investigation into the financial and administrative activities of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Central to the accusations against the governor is his alleged failure to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework as mandated by law, along with claims of misusing public funds without legislative appropriation.
Lawmakers contended that these alleged actions constitute serious violations of constitutional provisions and undermine the authority of the legislature.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, emphasized that due process would be observed and that the law would be allowed to unfold fully, assuring that the impeachment proceedings would be pursued to their logical conclusion.
Shortly after the session, an impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, circulated widely on social media. The House later confirmed that impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy were indeed ongoing, with official charges of gross misconduct formally communicated to both officials.
In a statement dated January 9, 2026, and signed by George, the Assembly affirmed that the process was “fully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“The two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy Governor have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House while we await their responses,” the statement read.
Fubara Appeals for Calm
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara called for calm among residents amidst the ongoing impeachment process initiated by the House of Assembly.
The governor made this appeal during a church service commemorating the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, assuring the congregation that “everything will be fine.”
Fubara explained that his choice to remain silent in the face of what he described as distractions was intentional, asserting that he draws strength from his faith in God.
He spoke briefly before inviting his deputy, Ngozi Odu, who had read the first lesson at the service, to address the congregation.
In her remarks, the deputy governor expressed gratitude to worshippers for their attendance at the service and urged them to maintain good conduct, echoing the admonition of the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda, who emphasized in his sermon that every action would be remembered.
Rivers Elders Raise Concern Over Impeachment Notice on Fubara, Deputy
Odu also urged residents to continue supporting the administration in prayer, describing such support as the cornerstone sustaining the government.
Elders, Rights Group Fault Impeachment Move in Rivers
Additionally, the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum condemned the impeachment process as a serious constitutional matter that should not be wielded as a tool for political vendetta or factional disputes.
In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman and former Deputy Governor of the state, Gabriel Toby, the forum criticized the reasons put forth to justify the impeachment effort as “disturbingly weak,” lacking both substance and constitutional merit.
The elders asserted that the initiative seemed to be driven more by personal interests than a genuine concern for good governance, warning that it could exacerbate political divisions, erode public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilize the state.
They noted that Rivers State has yet to fully recover from the political and institutional turmoil associated with the recent period of emergency rule.
Similarly, the Civil Liberty Organisation expressed concern that the current political tension in the state could distort constitutional procedures, turning them into instruments of conflict rather than means for democratic oversight.
The group articulated its position in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Sunny Dada, and Secretary, Chris Onyegbule.
**Wike Dismisses Sack Talk, Restates Support for Tinubu**
In a related political development, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stated that President Bola Tinubu has the authority to remove him as minister if he chooses to do so.
Wike made this assertion during the grand finale of his ‘Thank You’ tour across local councils in Rivers State, held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola.
He noted that his support for President Tinubu in 2023 stemmed from his belief in the President, which informed his decision to back Tinubu’s victory in that year’s general elections.
“So, like the Minority Leader (Kingsley Chinda, member, House of Representatives) said, we never signed an agreement with the President in 2023. We never had a formal meeting with Mr. President. All Mr. President told us was, ‘Support us, you will not regret it.’ And for that support, and by the glory of God, he witnessed what we achieved,” Wike said.
The FCT minister remarked that President Tinubu had reciprocated that support by offering appointments and other assistance to the people of Rivers, citing the appointment of a Rivers indigene as Minister of the FCT as an example.
Wike assured that the President would continue to receive similar backing, while taking aim at supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in 2023, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whom he claimed could secure only 10 percent of the votes in Rivers State.
He warned that Atiku, who has since defected to the African Democratic Congress, would face a similar outcome in Rivers State if he became the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.
Also addressing the gathering, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who reportedly has differences with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, declared Wike as their political leader.
Amaewhule, a native of Obio/Akpor Local Council like the FCT minister, alongside factional PDP and APC chairmen, House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda, and others, pledged their full support for Wike in pursuit of President Tinubu’s re-election.
