Rivers Assembly Halts Impeachment Actions Against Governor Fubara and Deputy Odu

The Rivers State House of Assembly has decided to suspend the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. This move comes after President Bola Tinubu intervened earlier this month.

The decision was made on Thursday during a resumed plenary session in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The Assembly initially began the impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu due to accusations of gross misconduct during its first meeting of 2026. At the plenary, the Speaker, Majority Leader Major Jack, officially presented a notice detailing the allegations.

These allegations involved accusations of demolishing the Assembly complex, unauthorized spending, withholding funds designated for the Assembly Service Commission, and an alleged failure to adhere to a Supreme Court ruling concerning the legislature's financial autonomy, among other grievances.

Lawmakers highlighted that the notice of these accusations was issued according to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). In a letter dated January 16, 2026, the Assembly requested the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to form a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations.

However, Justice Amadi refrained from proceeding, citing a standing High Court order that prohibits any further actions regarding the impeachment proceedings.

Fubara and Odu had each taken their case to the High Court in Port Harcourt, successfully obtaining injunctions that barred the Chief Judge from following through on the Assembly's request or from establishing an investigative panel.

In a statement, Justice Amadi remarked, "The Speaker and the Assembly have appealed the restraining order granted by the High Court, and the matter remains in court. Therefore, no further actions can currently be taken to establish an investigative panel."

The impeachment discussions arose from a significant political feud, ignited after Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike accused Governor Fubara of not fulfilling a peace agreement facilitated by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

Assembly sources indicated that President Tinubu’s intervention was crucial in ceasing the impeachment activities, allowing both the state government and the legislature to continue functioning smoothly while the legal matters unfold.