iDeemlawful—The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state.
The lawmakers commenced the process during plenary on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Members of the assembly accuse Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.
The development comes against the backdrop of a lingering political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
MOST READ ARTICLES
Most members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are known to be aligned with the FCT minister, who has openly vowed to oppose Fubara’s political ambitions ahead of 2027.
The power tussle between Wike and Fubara has continued to fuel tension, creating uncertainty and anxiety across the oil-rich Niger Delta state.
In March, the assembly issued a notice of “gross misconduct” against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.The allegation of “gross misconduct” marked the first constitutional step toward impeachment.
However, the impeachment attempt at the time escalated into unrest that led to the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
Later that month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the lawmakers.
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.), was appointed as caretaker to oversee the administration of the state for an initial six-month period.
At the end of the emergency rule on September 17, President Tinubu lifted the suspension on Fubara and other affected officials.
The president explained that the emergency proclamation, first announced on March 18, 2025, was necessary to halt the “total paralysis of governance” that had engulfed the state.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today.
“The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025,” he said.