Two more lawmakers from the State House of Assembly withdrew their support for the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, intensifying calls within the legislature for a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
At a press briefing in the state capital on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Hon. Emilia Amadi, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency II, openly distanced themselves from the impeachment move that has dominated Rivers politics in recent months. Their announcement came less than two days after two other lawmakers publicly withdrew support for the controversial process, bringing to four the number of legislators now urging restraint.
In his remarks, Nwakoh acknowledged that both the governor and his deputy had been accused of breaching constitutional provisions, a central justification cited by the 26 lawmakers who initially signed the notice of gross misconduct that triggered impeachment proceedings. However, he stressed that interventions from respected elders, leaders, and stakeholders in the state influenced the shift in his position.
“We initially endorsed the impeachment notice,” a source familiar with the lawmakers’ statements said, “but after listening to appeals from well-meaning leaders urging peace and dialogue, we have reconsidered our stance.”
Amadi echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential consequences of pursuing a divisive course. Though she acknowledged the decorum of holding public office, she underscored that maintaining the state’s stability and preserving democratic institutions must take precedence over political confrontation.
This latest development builds on earlier calls from the House’s Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency), and Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), who on Monday appealed to their colleagues to “temper justice with mercy” and explore alternatives to impeachment. They stressed that the appeals they had received from community elders and other leaders, both inside and outside Rivers State, motivated their requests for a more conciliatory approach.
“We are begging, calling on our colleagues to reconsider our step and see how this matter can be resolved amicably,” Nwankwo said at the briefing, even as he acknowledged perceived constitutional infractions by the governor and deputy. Abbey added that while there were concerns about constitutional breaches, lawmakers should adopt a humane approach and encourage Governor Fubara to avoid further actions that could escalate tensions.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, which had commenced impeachment proceedings late last week, is scheduled to reconvene plenary on January 15, 2026, with unresolved questions about the future of the impeachment process and the internal divisions among legislators.
The widening crack within the Assembly underscores the broader political friction in the state, where efforts to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy have been a focal point of intense debate and contestation. With growing pressure for dialogue and de-escalation from within the legislature itself, political observers will be watching closely how the situation unfolds in the days ahead.
