Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not received any formal notice of impeachment from the State House of Assembly, three days after impeachment proceedings were reportedly initiated against him and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment move was commenced last Thursday by 27 members of the Assembly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who accused the governor and deputy governor of alleged misconduct and constitutional violations. Despite assurances by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, that the impeachment notice would be formally delivered, officials within Government House maintain that no such communication has been received.
A senior government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated on Monday that neither the governor nor his deputy had been served with any impeachment notice, adding that Governor Fubara only returned from an overseas trip on Sunday. The source emphasized that the absence of formal service raises questions about compliance with the procedural requirements set out in Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which governs impeachment proceedings against a sitting governor.
Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the Assembly as two lawmakers previously aligned with the pro-impeachment bloc publicly withdrew their support for the process. Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, the Minority Leader of the House, Sylvanus Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to suspend impeachment proceedings and pursue alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Nwankwo acknowledged allegations of constitutional breaches by the governor but called for restraint, citing appeals from political leaders and elders within and outside Rivers State. Abbey similarly urged a “humane” approach, while stressing that the governor also bears responsibility to avoid further constitutional infractions to enable de-escalation.
The political crisis intensified following the conclusion of Minister Wike’s “thank-you tour” of Rivers State local government areas. Notably, the minister did not visit Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the governor’s home constituency, a development political observers interpret as reflective of deepening factional tensions within the state.
In response to the escalating situation, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN). The committee has been mandated to mediate between the parties and prevent further political instability. PANDEF has warned that impeachment proceedings, if improperly conducted, could aggravate tensions and undermine governance in a state of strategic economic and political importance to Nigeria.
The forum called on all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the reconciliation process and prioritize constitutionalism, peace, and the welfare of Rivers State residents.
