The political crisis in Rivers State intensified on Thursday as the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.
At a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the House stated that the impeachment action was triggered by Governor Fubara’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration.
This was one of several accusations levelled against the duo, with the 27 lawmakers aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, claiming that Fubara and Odu had deliberately frustrated the Assembly’s constitutional duties.
The lawmakers, who are loyal to Wike, described the alleged actions of the governor and his deputy as impeachable offences. Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol moved the motion for the impeachment proceedings, with Silvernus Nwankwo seconding it.
The move comes amid rising political tensions within the state, with factions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vying for political control in Rivers.
While Governor Fubara had yet to officially respond to the allegations at the time of reporting, a senior government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with Punch, said the state government would not react until it received a formal notice from the Assembly.
The official explained, “There are procedures for these things. Any response now would imply that the government has received a notice, which it has not.
“Let them have their field day. The world is watching. Our priority is peace and stability in Rivers State.”