Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have voted to continue impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara after four members who earlier stepped back reversed their decision. The shift led to a unanimous resolution to advance the process, setting the stage for a formal investigation into allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
Between Monday and Wednesday, the four lawmakers, Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey, Barile Nwakoh, and Emilia Amadi had withdrawn from the move, citing the need for dialogue and reconciliation. They changed course during a live plenary on Friday, blaming what they described as continued hostility from the governor and his deputy, as well as repeated disregard for calls for talks.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule said the decision followed Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. “Those in favour that the investigation should proceed are 25 in number, against nil, abstention nil… I will forward a letter to the Chief Judge to immediately set up a seven-man panel to begin investigations,” he said. The House adjourned its sitting to Tuesday, January 27.
Before the plenary, Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol accused the governor and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu of intimidation and constitutional breaches. He said past efforts at resolution failed due to what he described as the governor’s refusal to honour agreements. Maol also alleged misuse of anti-graft agencies and media pressure, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for attempts to mediate.
Another lawmaker, Looloo Opuende, claimed the governor sought to undermine the Assembly by inducing constituents to initiate recalls. “While the impeachment process was ongoing, the governor was busy paying our constituents to recall us from the Assembly. Is that the right thing to do?” he asked, urging engagement with Assembly leaders if peace was desired.
Responding, the governor’s Special Assistant on Political Matters, Darlington Orji, dismissed the lawmakers’ actions as scripted. Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, he said, “Everybody knows that they are acting a script… What kind of drama is that?” He described the crisis as a struggle for control of the state.
Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court in Oyigbo issued an interim injunction halting the process. Justice F.A. Fiberesima restrained Assembly officials from contacting the Chief Judge and barred the Chief Judge from acting on any request to form an investigative panel for seven days. The case resumes on January 23.
