A high-stakes move to impeach the Governor of Rivers State appears to have hit a pause after lawmakers failed to return to their seats on Thursday as scheduled.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had been expected to reconvene on 15 January to move forward with proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
However, a week after issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the state’s top leaders, the legislative quarters on Aba Road remained quiet, with no sign of the plenary session.
An unexplained delay
The lawmakers are currently meeting in a conference hall within their official quarters after the main assembly complex was demolished last year—one of the very acts for which the Governor is now facing “gross misconduct” charges.
Other allegations driving the impeachment push include:
- Unauthorised spending: Claims the Governor has spent state funds without a 2026 budget approval.
- Constitutional breaches: Alleged refusal to comply with court rulings regarding the legislature’s financial independence.
Despite the gravity of the charges, no official reason has been given for the failure to sit on Thursday. Eneme George, the House Chairman on Information, did not respond to calls or messages seeking clarification on the delay.
A ‘political solution’ in the works?
The sudden silence at the Assembly comes amid reports that senior figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the presidency have been scrambling behind the scenes to broker a “political solution.”
Tensions in the oil-rich state have been at a breaking point for months due to a bitter rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The failure to resume today has led to local speculation that mediation efforts may be gaining ground, though the legal notice issued to the Governor technically remains active.
Add Comment