Rivers Governor Fubara Faces Impeachment As Assembly Acts

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara following the presentation of a notice of alleged gross misconduct during plenary on Wednesday.

The notice was formally read to the House by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, marking the official start of the constitutional process against the governor.

According to the lawmakers, the allegations against Governor Fubara include the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, engagement in extra-budgetary spending without legislative approval, and the alleged withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission. The notice also accused the governor of refusing to comply with a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the legislature.

The development has further intensified the long-running political crisis in the state, which has pitted the governor against a majority of members of the Assembly.

Shortly after the impeachment notice was served, political reactions emerged from within and outside the state. A political commentator, Agafuisiya, claimed that the 26 lawmakers backing the impeachment were acting on the directive of former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a strongly worded statement, the commentator questioned the timing of the impeachment move, arguing that if Wike wielded influence across both major political parties in the state, the process could have waited until the 2027 governorship election. The statement described the impeachment effort as a “last resort” and insisted it lacked federal backing.

The comments also warned that rising tensions, including reports of unrest and destruction of property in parts of the state, could further destabilise the already fragile riverine region. The statement urged Governor Fubara to remain calm and resolute, expressing confidence that the impeachment attempt would ultimately fail.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government has not issued an official response to the impeachment notice. Meanwhile, observers expect the coming days to be critical as the Assembly proceeds with constitutional steps that could determine the political future of the state’s chief executive.