Rivers Crisis: More Lawmakers Make U-Turn Over Fubara’s Impeachment

In a noteworthy development, just 24 hours after two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, aligned with Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike, reversed their stance regarding the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, two additional lawmakers have also called for a withdrawal of the impeachment process.

On January 8, 2025, the assembly, comprising 27 lawmakers and led by Speaker Martins Amaehwule, adopted an impeachment notice against Governor Fubara and Deputy Odu, citing alleged misappropriation of state funds.

The motion for impeachment was initiated by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and another member, prompting an investigation into the financial and administrative actions of the governor.

A few days after the Speaker directed that the impeachment notice should be served on the governor and his deputy, two of the lawmakers, the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma State Constituency, and Peter Abbey of Degema State Constituency, kicked against the process.

The duo attributed their position to appeals from respected political figures both within and outside the state, who advised the assembly to pursue peaceful and constructive means of resolving the crisis rather than pressing ahead with impeachment proceedings.

However, yesterday, two more lawmakers, mainly females, publicly stood down and appealed to their colleagues to also withdraw the process.

The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II (Wike’s LGA), called for caution and dialogue and cautioned that pursuing impeachment could further heighten political tension in the state and distract from governance and legislative responsibilities.

They urged their colleagues to embrace dialogue, reconciliation and constitutional restraint in resolving the ongoing political disagreements.

Nwakoh reportedly stressed that the stability of Rivers State should remain paramount, noting that impeachment was a grave constitutional step that should only be considered as a last resort and not as a tool for deepening political divisions.

She also called on lawmakers to reflect on the broader implications of their actions on governance, security and public confidence in democratic institutions.

Amadi, on her part, sued for calm and unity within the House, arguing that the interests of Rivers people would be better served through cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

She emphasised the need for lawmakers to prioritise peace and development over prolonged political confrontation.

With the current development, 23 lawmakers, including the Speaker, Amaewhule, were yet to review their stand on the impeachment.