The political landscape in Rivers State is currently defined by a fierce ‘war’ between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the State House of Assembly, centered around the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu. These proceedings, stemming from allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds, have plunged the state into renewed crisis. The lawmakers reconvened from recess to commence the removal process, a move that has ignited significant debate and drawn strong reactions from various stakeholders. The APC, which Governor Fubara recently joined from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vociferously rejected the impeachment proceedings, asserting that the governor has committed no wrongdoing regarding the budget. They argue that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the state during the six months of emergency rule remains valid until August 2026, negating the necessity of presenting a new 2026 budget at this juncture.
This situation has exposed a sharp division within the PDP. While a faction aligned with Nyesom Wike has endorsed the impeachment process, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has adopted a more cautious, watchful stance, choosing not to issue a definitive statement at this early stage. Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is closely monitoring the unfolding political developments before committing to a position.
Why Fubara and Odu Must Go —Assembly
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has articulated the Assembly’s rationale, stating that the decision to initiate impeachment proceedings is based on the alleged failure of Governor Fubara and his Deputy to present the state’s budget. The lawmakers further allege that Fubara has obstructed the Assembly’s input into appropriation bills, deeming these actions as impeachable offenses. These accusations were formally laid out in a motion, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The Majority Leader detailed seven points of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds for the Assembly Service Commission, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on financial autonomy.
A separate notice of gross misconduct was also presented against Deputy Governor Prof. Odu, citing accusations such as reckless spending of public funds, obstruction of legislative duties, unauthorized occupancy of offices, seeking budgetary approval from unauthorized groups, and the seizure of salaries and allowances for the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and its Service Commission.
Fubara’s a Mistake — Speaker
Speaker Amaewhule has been vocal in his criticism, labeling Governor Fubara as a “mistake” and asserting that Rivers State has “never had it this bad.” He emphasized that Fubara and Odu are the only sub-national leaders in Nigeria yet to present an appropriation bill for 2026. Amaewhule lamented the state’s lack of an appropriation bill, highlighting that even when a budget was approved in 2023, the governor allegedly disregarded it to award contracts outside the allocated funds. He painted a grim picture of the state’s condition, citing non-functioning schools, suffering youth, bad roads, and under-equipped hospitals, attributing these issues to the governor’s alleged mismanagement and diversion of funds to subvert the will of the people and the constitution. The Speaker declared that “enough is enough” and that the law must take its course, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to guide Fubara towards a change in conduct have been unsuccessful.
Featured snippet paragraph: The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy over alleged gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds, primarily citing their failure to present a 2026 budget and engaging in extra-budgetary spending, which they deem impeachable offenses under the constitution.
The House’s motion condemned the governor’s refusal to present the middle-term expenditure framework and the 2026 appropriation bill, alongside reckless spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Assembly declared that no action would be taken on the 2026 budget presentation until the investigation into the governor’s alleged gross misconduct is completed. The notice, signed by 26 of the 32 lawmakers, is to be served on the governor within seven days, formally commencing the impeachment process.
APC Rejects Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara
The Rivers APC has strongly opposed the impeachment move, urging the lawmakers to resist external pressures aimed at destabilizing Fubara’s administration. The party’s factional spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, described the Assembly’s action as an unfortunate development, suggesting that the lawmakers are importing internal party conflicts into the APC. While acknowledging the legislature’s independence and role in checks and balances, the APC firmly rejects the impeachment process. Nwauju pointed out that a budget was transmitted to the National Assembly by the former Sole Administrator and passed into law, with a validity extending until August 2026. He clarified that the constitution allows for a six-month spending window without a new budget, and the governor has the discretion to either abide by the existing budget or present a new one.
The APC faction led by Chief Emeka Beke echoed similar sentiments, rejecting the impeachment process and warning against allowing PDP internal strife to resurface within the APC. They emphasized that the legislature is an independent arm of government but found the resort to impeachment untenable.
PDP Split as Wike’s Camp Backs Rivers Assembly
The impeachment crisis has also revealed a split within the PDP. The Wike-backed faction has publicly endorsed the impeachment process, with party spokesman Jungudo Haruna stating that Governor Fubara, having moved to the APC, is no longer a PDP member. Haruna framed the impeachment as a constitutional matter, not a partisan one, and advised Fubara to follow the laid-down procedures to clear himself of the allegations. He commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for demonstrating legislative independence and upholding the separation of powers.
In contrast, the PDP NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki, has chosen to withhold comment, opting to monitor the situation. Ini Ememobong, the NWC’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that the party leadership is not reacting at this time.
Drop Move Against Fubara, INC, IYC Urge Assembly
Amidst the escalating political tension, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), a prominent Ijaw socio-cultural organization, has called on the Assembly to cease the impeachment proceedings in the interest of peace. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the youth wing of the INC, also urged the lawmakers to prioritize the welfare of Rivers people and allow Fubara to complete his tenure. INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, described the situation as “state capture by one individual” and urged lovers of democracy to oppose this “unfortunate development.” He lamented that the crisis has resurfaced after a period of resolution.
Dr. Alaye Theophilus, President of the IYC, challenged the Assembly to provide specific evidence of Fubara spending money without budgetary provisions. He stressed that it is time for governance, not conflict, and that Fubara has been under attack for nearly three years. Theophilus further suggested that the lawmakers’ actions might indicate disloyalty to President Tinubu and urged them to respect the President and allow him to return before proceeding. He condemned the impeachment process, predicting it would not succeed and stating that the governor has done nothing wrong.
