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The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

The political landscape in Rivers State has escalated dramatically as the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu.

During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule on Thursday and broadcast live, the House leveled serious allegations of gross misconduct against the state's top officials. 

Majority Leader Major Jack read a notice containing seven charges against Governor Fubara, signed by 26 members of the Assembly.

The accusations, rooted in Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, are substantial. They include the demolition of the State Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, and the withholding of funds constitutionally allocated to the Assembly Service Commission. 

The governor is also accused of refusing to obey a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislative house.

Similarly, Deputy Governor Odu faces charges of reckless spending, obstructing the Assembly from its duties, and allegedly conspiring to allow unauthorized persons to occupy public offices without proper legislative screening.

Speaker Amaewhule stated the formal notices would be served on both officials within the next seven days, initiating a constitutionally mandated process.

This marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu within a year, following a similar move in March 2025. That initial crisis, stemming from a fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led to such heightened tensions that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

Under that declaration, Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Assembly were suspended for six months, during which an administrator oversaw the state's affairs. A reconciliation brokered later allowed Fubara to resume his duties.

The fresh impeachment move follows significant political realignments. In December, Governor Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

His defection came shortly after a bloc of state lawmakers also crossed over to the APC, citing a need to fully align with the federal government.

As the seven-day service period begins, Rivers State is once again gripped by a high-stakes constitutional and political standoff, with the stability of its government hanging in the balance.