By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE RIVERS State House of Assembly (RSHA) has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
During Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Major Jack read the notice of gross misconduct signed by 26 members.
The allegations include demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds due the Assembly Service Commission (ASC), and refusing to comply with the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of the house.
“I will ensure that this letter is forwarded to His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, within seven days,” Amaewhule said.
Deputy Leader Linda Stewart also presented a notice of gross misconduct against Odu citing allegations such as reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties under the 1999 Constitution and allowing unauthorised persons to occupy offices without proper screening.
Other charges include bypassing the legitimate House of Assembly for budgetary approvals and seizing salaries and allowances due the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
This impeachment move marks the second attempt by the lawmakers to remove Fubara and Odu in less than a year.
A similar attempt occurred in March 2025, after tensions escalated between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Following the March 2025 crisis, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, Odu, and the House of Assembly for an initial six months under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The President then appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as state administrator. Fubara returned after the six-month suspension following reconciliation between him, Wike, and the lawmakers.
By December 2025, the political tension intensified when a group of Rivers Assembly lawmakers led by the Speaker defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
Days later, Fubara formalised his own defection from the PDP to the APC.
“We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support,” Fubara had said.
“So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to APC.”
However, most of the Rivers Assembly members have remained loyal to Wike which makes the latest proceedings to reflect ongoing political divisions and a continuation of the hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor.
The RSHA noted that the impeachment process in the House will proceed in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution as Jack cited Section 188 in presenting seven points of alleged gross misconduct against the governor.
