The political crisis in Rivers State intensified on Thursday as the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
The move followed a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, during which the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against the governor on the floor of the Assembly.
Lawmakers disclosed that no fewer than 26 members signed the impeachment notice, insisting that the process was carried out in strict compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Speaker Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in line with established legislative procedures guiding impeachment processes.
In a related development, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read a separate notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh, signalled the Assembly’s intention to pursue impeachment proceedings against both executive office holders simultaneously.
The latest development is widely seen as a fallout of the prolonged political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and former political ally, Nyesom Wike, a disagreement that has continued to polarise Rivers State’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently weighed in on the situation, with its Director of Information, Bala Ibrahim, stating during a televised interview that any decision by Wike to join the party would place him under the authority of Governor Fubara, emphasising that political leadership is determined by current office, not past influence.
As tensions rise, political observers warn that the unfolding impeachment process could further deepen instability in the oil-rich state if not carefully managed.
