The Rivers State House of Assembly has started impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
The move was announced during a plenary session on Thursday, led by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule. During the sitting, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read out a notice accusing Governor Fubara of gross misconduct.
A total of 26 lawmakers signed the notice. According to the Speaker, the notice will be formally served on the governor within the next seven days.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, also presented a separate notice of allegations against the deputy governor, Ngozi Oduh.
Relying on Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, the lawmakers listed seven allegations against Fubara. These include the demolition of the House of Assembly complex, spending money outside the approved budget, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusing to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial independence of the Assembly.
Similar accusations were also made against the deputy governor. Lawmakers accused Oduh of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, preventing the House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties, and allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper approval.
Other allegations against her include seeking budget approval from another group instead of the recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, and withholding salaries and allowances meant for lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
This is the second time the Assembly is attempting to impeach Fubara and his deputy. A similar attempt was made in March 2025 after the governor fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The political crisis in Rivers State later led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency. He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The president also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the administrator of the state.
After six months, Fubara returned as governor following reconciliation efforts involving him, Wike—now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—and the lawmakers.
In December, Fubara left the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he was elected in 2023, and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the move was necessary to fully support President Tinubu. His defection came shortly after some Rivers Assembly members also joined the APC.
