Lawmakers petition Chief Judge to investigate gross misconduct
The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally escalated the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, on Friday, January 16, 2026.
During a plenary session led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the lawmakers voted unanimously to petition the Chief Judge of Rivers State to constitute a seven-man investigative panel. This move follows the expiration of the seven-day window for the executives to respond to the formal notice of allegations of “gross misconduct” served earlier in the month.
The rift in the assembly appears to have closed as four lawmakers, who had previously called for a “political solution,” made a sharp U-turn on Friday morning. Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo and his colleagues rescinded their plea for restraint, accusing the governor of showing “no remorse” and deploying media aides to attack the legislature. These lawmakers argued that the governor’s refusal to engage in constructive dialogue left the assembly with no choice but to proceed with the constitutional removal process.
The allegations leveled against Governor Fubara are extensive and centered on several constitutional breaches. Key points in the petition include the demolition of the Assembly Complex, unconstitutional spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and the withholding of salaries for assembly staff. Furthermore, the governor is accused of making high-level appointments without the mandatory screening and confirmation by the House of Assembly, a direct violation of the 1999 Constitution.
Fubara defection and Wike feud deepen political crisis
The current crisis is a culmination of long-standing tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Despite a peace deal previously brokered by President Bola Tinubu, the relationship between the executive and the legislature has completely collapsed. The situation was further complicated by Fubara’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that failed to bridge the gap with the Wike-aligned majority in the assembly.
Supporters of the governor have characterized the impeachment move as a “retaliation” for his rejection of certain projects and a struggle for the political soul of Rivers State. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have publicly condemned the assembly’s actions, describing them as an attempt to “monopolize governance.” They argue that the governor has a constitutional right to lead the state without external interference from the FCT Minister.
Conversely, the assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, has insisted that the process is strictly constitutional and not a personal vendetta. He stated that the legislature is an independent arm of government and that “pouring oil into water” by mixing politics with constitutional duties would only cause more trouble. The lawmakers maintain that their actions are necessary to restore accountability and fiscal discipline to the oil-rich state’s administration.
Constitutional path ahead as state enters uncharted waters
With the formal request now submitted to the Chief Judge, the impeachment process enters a critical technical phase. According to Section 188 of the Constitution, the Chief Judge must now appoint a panel of seven people of “unquestionable integrity” to investigate the allegations. If the panel finds the allegations substantiated, the House of Assembly will then vote on the adoption of the report, which could lead to the immediate removal of the governor and his deputy.
The political atmosphere in Port Harcourt remains incredibly tense, with heavy security presence reported at key government installations. Various civil society groups and pro-democracy organizations have called for restraint, warning that a prolonged leadership crisis could plunge the state into “political anarchy.” They have urged the Federal Government to intervene once more to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the heart of the Niger Delta.
As the nation watches the unfolding drama, the fate of Governor Fubara remains uncertain. The governor has recently stated that Rivers State “won’t return to political war,” yet the legislative machinery for his removal is now in full motion. Whether a last-minute mediation or a judicial intervention will stall the process remains to be seen, but for now, the Rivers State House of Assembly is determined to see the impeachment through to its legal conclusion.
