Rivers Political Tension Escalates as Assembly Labels Governor Fubara a Threat to Democracy

Rivers Political Tension Escalates as Assembly Labels Governor Fubara a Threat to Democracy

The Rivers State House of Assembly has escalated the state’s political crisis, describing Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a “threat to democracy” as it commenced fresh impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The crisis deepened on Thursday during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, where lawmakers issued a seven-day ultimatum to the governor and his deputy to respond to allegations of gross misconduct, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Lawmakers said the action was triggered by the governor’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for legislative scrutiny. The Speaker noted that Rivers State is allegedly the only sub-national government in Nigeria yet to present a 2026 budget.

A bloc of 27 lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor and his deputy of deliberately undermining the Assembly’s constitutional role. They described the alleged actions as impeachable offences aimed at weakening legislative oversight.

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The impeachment process was formally initiated through a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo. The Majority Leader, Major Jack, subsequently read a notice of allegations against Governor Fubara, listing seven counts of alleged misconduct.

These include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on legislative financial autonomy, and the alleged seizure of lawmakers’ salaries and allowances.

A separate notice of allegations was read against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu by the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, accusing her of reckless spending, obstructing legislative duties, bypassing the Assembly in budgetary approvals, and allowing unapproved individuals to occupy government offices.

Amaewhule said the allegations largely revolve around budget presentation and spending outside the appropriation law, stressing that the House would not debate the notice but allow due constitutional process to take its course.

“The notice has been served and the impeachment process has commenced. Enough is enough,” the Speaker declared, alleging that even approved budgets in previous years were abandoned in favour of unauthorized expenditures.

The Speaker further claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had intervened on several occasions to persuade the governor to change course, but the efforts yielded no result.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to suspend consideration of the 2026 MTEF and Appropriation Bill until investigations into the allegations are concluded. Amaewhule confirmed that a formal communication would be sent to the governor, granting him seven days to respond.

The Assembly subsequently adjourned plenary proceedings to January 15, as political tension continues to mount across Rivers State.

Rivers Political Tension Escalates as Assembly Labels Governor Fubara a Threat to Democracy