Rivers state house of assembly begins impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, as the Majority Leader of the house, Hon Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara.

Penpushing reports that 26 members of the assembly signed the notice which they alleged was against the Nigerian Constitution, and during the plenary the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule, said the notice will be served to Fubara in the next seven days.

The majority leader relying on Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, reeled out seven points of alleged gross misconduct against the governor which include demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to obey the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy of the house.

Penpushing further reports that, similarly the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon Linda Stewart read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Oduh, who is the Deputy Governor

The allegations against the Deputy Governor included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties as outlined by the 1999 Constitution, conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate House of Assembly.

Penpushing also reports that other allegations against Oduh were that she approached another group of people for budgetary approval instead of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, seizure of salaries and allowances accruing to the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission.

The move is the second attempt by the lawmakers to impeach Fubara and his deputy, following a similar one in March 2025, and in the notice signed by 26 members of the Rivers Assembly at that time, the lawmakers accused Fubara and Oduh of gross misconduct after the governor fell out with the immediate governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

Penpushing reports that it would be recalled that following escalating tensions in the state, President Bola Tinubu intervened and declared a state of emergency, suspended Fubara and his Deputy as well as Rivers State House of Assembly and said the development is “required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) as the administrator of the state, however, Fubara returned after six months as governor following a reconciliatory move brokered between him, Wike, who is the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the lawmakers.

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