The political landscape in Rivers State has shifted back into a state of high tension as the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly has formally vowed to resume the stalled impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Following a plenary session held today, Friday, 16 January 2026, the lawmakers cited “gross misconduct” and the “continued disregard for the rule of law and legislative independence” as the primary reasons for reigniting the process.
The Assembly, which remains largely loyal to the former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, accused the executive arm of several constitutional infractions:
The lawmakers claim that the Governor has continued to spend state funds without a legally passed 2026 budget by the recognized Assembly.
The House cited the Governor’s refusal to comply with recent court judgments that affirmed the legality of the 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC.
Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu is specifically mentioned in the new petition for her alleged role in “undermining the constitutional duties of the legislature.”
While Governor Fubara has not issued a formal rebuttal today, sources close to the Government House in Port Harcourt have dismissed the move as a “periodic distraction.”
“The Governor is focused on delivering the dividend of democracy to the people of Rivers State. These threats are not new; they are the desperate gasps of a group trying to hold the state to ransom. We are confident in the judicial process to protect the mandate of the people.” – Government House Source.
The announcement has already led to a heavy security presence around the Assembly Quarters and the Government House. Civil society groups have expressed fears that the resumption of the impeachment process could trigger a fresh wave of protests and social unrest across the state.
Legal experts suggest that the impeachment process will likely face immediate injunctions in the courts. The core of the dispute remains the legitimacy of the lawmakers themselves—a matter that is currently pending before the Supreme Court. Until that final verdict is delivered, any move toward impeachment remains on shaky legal ground.
