Rivers Crisis Deepens: House Initiates Impeachment Against Governor Fubara and Deputy

In a dramatic escalation of the political standoff in Rivers State, the House of Assembly has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.

The move unfolded during a high-stakes plenary session on Thursday, January 8, 2026, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule. The proceedings, which were captured during a live broadcast on Channels Television, signal a significant breakdown in the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

The formal process began when the Majority Leader, Major Jack, took to the floor to present the formal charges. According to the legislative record, he “read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara.”

Key details regarding the petition include:

• Signatories: A total of 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly signed the notice.
• Legal Basis: The lawmakers alleged that the Governor’s actions were “against the Nigerian Constitution.”

The sweep of the impeachment move was not limited to the Governor alone. Shortly after the allegations against Fubara were presented, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, “also read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Oduh,” bringing the Deputy Governor under the same legal fire.

Following the presentation of the documents, Speaker Amaewhule outlined the immediate timeline for the proceedings. He stated that the formal “notice will be served to Fubara in the next seven days,” a mandatory step in the constitutional process of removing a sitting governor.

This development marks a pivotal moment in the state’s governance, as the assembly now awaits a formal response from the executive branch before proceeding with the investigation into the alleged misconduct.