The Rivers State House of Assembly has insisted that the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, would continue as planned.
Four lawmakers, who had earlier withdrawn from the impeachment process, addressed a press conference on Friday, accusing the governor of infringing on the 1999 Constitution, saying the parliament was left with no other choice but to apply their legislative power by impeaching him from office.
They also accused Fubara of blackmail, saying he lacked the trust needed to address the crisis rocking the state.
According to them, the Governor and his Deputy have by their actions so far, signalled that they are not interested in a peace process, but rather want to intimidate the Assembly into withdrawing the impeachment process while they continue their acts of impunity.
The Assembly members argued that their actions are backed by the constitution, and no ethnic agenda should be read into the ongoing process to impeach Governor Fubara.
They blamed Fubara and his Deputy for the breakdown of the peace process.
Recall that the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, had failed to resume plenary on Thursday, January 15, 2026, a week after adjourning its last sitting.
In its first sitting of 2026, held on January 8, the House initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The charges include the demolition of the state assembly complex, spending without legislative approval, and other related offences. The House had adjourned until January 15, 2026, to continue the proceedings.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the Minority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma State Constituency, and Peter Abbey from Degema State Constituency had previously urged other legislators to pursue a peaceful resolution to the current impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
Similarly, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II also appealed for a peaceful resolution.
However, on Friday, all four lawmakers, in a joint press briefing before joining their colleagues for plenary, made a turnaround and insisted that the impeachment proceedings must go ahead.