Fubara, impeachment, and the long-standing challenges of governing Rivers State, by Gift Luckson
Riders:
Fubara calls for calm and peaceful resolution
Court halts impeachment move against Fubara and Odu
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s term has been marked by a protracted power struggle with lawmakers, driven by allegations of misconduct, constitutional disputes, and deep political divisions.
The recent impeachment bid has faced legal setbacks, wavering legislative support, and pushback from political and civil society actors.
However, the governor continues to appeal for stability and due process as the crisis unfolds.
This is the third time Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.
READ ALSO: Court bars Rivers Chief Judge from acting on impeachment notice against Gov. Fubara
Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.
Political Tension with the Rivers State House of Assembly
A major source of Governor Fubara’s current challenges is a sharp confrontation with the Rivers State House of Assembly, which has accused him (and his deputy, Odu) of gross misconduct and constitutional breaches.
The lawmakers cited issues such as budgetary impropriety, failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, alleged unauthorised spending, and withholding funds from the legislature.
This has culminated in the House initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
The Assembly formally served impeachment notices on Fubara and Odu in early January 2026.
The legislature has repeatedly asserted its determination to proceed with impeachment, stating no political solution should halt the process.
READ ALSO: Rivers assembly asks chief judge to probe Fubara as impeachment process advances
On Friday, the assembly resolved to continue with the impeachment proceedings against the governor, and his deputy.
Also, the four lawmakers who had earlier withdrawn from the impeachment move and called on their colleagues to follow suit recanted their position on Friday, accusing the governor of being adamant.
Allegations Against Fubara
Speaker Martins Amaewhule led the reading of allegations, claiming the governor’s actions threaten democratic principles.
Some of the allegations are:
1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds
2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds
3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution
5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members
6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi
7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary
8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities.
READ ALSO: Rivers assembly initiates impeachment process against governor Fubara
Legal Barriers and Court Intervention
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Port Harcourt on Friday, has issued an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and two others, including the Clerk of the House, from sending any correspondence to the Chief Judge of the state.
The court also restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, forwarding, considering or in any way acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other document from the first to the 27th defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against the state governor and his deputy for seven days.
The presiding judge, Justice F.A. Fiberesima, in a ruling on a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, also granted leave to the claimants/applicants to serve the interim order and the originating processes in Suit No. OYHC/7CS/2026 and Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, as well as all subsequent processes meant for the first to 31st defendants at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
READ ALSO: We’ll deliver Rivers to Tinubu in 2027 – Fubara
The court further directed that the interim order and the originating processes in the suits be served on the 32nd defendant, who is the Chief Judge of the state, through any staff of the judiciary at the Chief Judge’s chambers within the High Court premises.
Justice Fiberesima thereafter adjourned the case to January 23, 2026 for hearing of the motion.
This legal intervention creates a significant procedural delay, even as the Assembly insists it will continue pursuing the case once the litigation is resolved.
Fubara’s Response and Appeal for Calm
Governor Fubara has called for calm and peaceful resolution, emphasising governance continuity and urging citizens to eschew unrest amid the political storm.
READ ALSO: Gov Fubara defects to APC
Fubara’s Suspension and State of Emergency
In March 2025, the political conflict in Rivers State, particularly between Governor Fubara, former governor, Nyesom Wike, and the State House of Assembly — intensified sharply.
The legislature and the governor were unable to cooperate on key functions such as passing the state budget and other constitutional duties, leading to a paralysis of governance in the oil-rich state.
On 18 March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu invoked his powers under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara, his deputy Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial six-month period.
READ ALSO: Fubara revokes secretariat deal, orders CCECC to refund mobilisation fee
The president appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd) as Administrator to manage the state’s affairs during the emergency period.
Some commentators have noted that the emergency rule effectively “saved” Governor Fubara’s political career by halting impeachment efforts and other internal political pressures against him.
After six months, on 17–18 September 2025, President Tinubu lifted the state of emergency, allowing Fubara, his deputy, and
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
to resume their constitutional duties.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
