The Rivers State House of Assembly has ruled out any political compromise in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, insisting that the process will be pursued strictly in line with the law.
The lawmakers said the decision reflects their resolve to uphold constitutional responsibilities, despite mounting calls for dialogue and reconciliation to end the prolonged political crisis in the state.
Speaking during a televised interview, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, dismissed suggestions that the impeachment move was a political strategy aimed at intimidating the governor. He stressed that the legislature was acting within its legal mandate and would not allow political pressure to derail the process.
According to George, repeated attempts at political settlements in the past had failed to resolve the crisis and only weakened the authority of the legislature. He argued that the matter had gone beyond negotiation and must now be handled strictly through constitutional procedures.
The Assembly accused Fubara of engaging in repeated acts of misconduct, describing him as a serial violator of the law. The lawmakers alleged that the governor had consistently ignored due process in the management of public resources and in making appointments.
Among the allegations raised are claims of improper handling of state funds and the appointment of individuals with personal ties to the governor into public offices without adequate screening.
The spokesperson insisted that such actions, if left unchecked, would undermine accountability and governance in the state.
The Assembly also addressed public reactions to its rejection of a N100,000 “Christmas gift” credited to lawmakers’ bank accounts in December 2025. George explained that the decision was not about the amount involved but about legality and ethical standards.
He maintained that there was no constitutional provision allowing such payments and that accepting the funds could expose lawmakers to legal consequences. According to him, public funds must be treated with responsibility as they belong to the people of Rivers State, not individuals.
The latest impeachment move comes after the Assembly formally served Fubara and Oduh with a notice of allegations of gross misconduct. The notice, signed by 26 lawmakers, was read during plenary by the Majority Leader and is expected to be formally delivered to the governor.
This development marks the second attempt by the House to remove Fubara and his deputy. A similar move in March 2025 triggered widespread tension across the state and prompted intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
At the time, Tinubu convened meetings involving Fubara, former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Assembly. A reconciliation agreement was reached, allowing Fubara to return to Government House after months of political isolation.
However, the truce soon collapsed, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the terms of the agreement. Relations between the executive and the legislature have since deteriorated further.
George said the Assembly was not deterred by previous presidential interventions, insisting that no external influence could override its constitutional duties. He noted that earlier efforts by the president to broker peace were met with resistance and eventually failed because agreements were not honoured.
The political crisis in Rivers State has its roots in the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023. The rift split the state’s political structure and divided the House of Assembly into rival camps.
The situation worsened in October 2023 when tensions escalated into violence, leading to the burning of the Assembly complex and the emergence of parallel legislative factions.
Subsequent defections of lawmakers and a series of court cases further deepened the instability.
