Fubara Urges Calm as Rivers Assembly Pushes Impeachment Process

Rivers State’s political crisis intensified on Sunday as the State House of Assembly accused unnamed interests of attempting to block its impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara through court orders obtained outside Port Harcourt.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George, the Assembly said it had received credible intelligence that some individuals were working to stall the proceedings by seeking restraining orders from courts outside the state capital.

The accusation comes amid growing tension following the Assembly’s decision last Thursday to begin a formal investigation into the financial and administrative activities of Governor Fubara. The motion was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol.

Lawmakers accused the governor of failing to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework as required by law and of spending public funds without legislative approval. They argued that these actions amounted to serious constitutional violations and an attempt to undermine the authority of the legislature.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, said the Assembly would follow due process and ensure that the law was allowed to take its full course, adding that the impeachment proceedings would be carried through to their logical conclusion.

Shortly after the sitting, impeachment notices against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, circulated widely on social media. The Assembly later confirmed that official notices of allegations of gross misconduct had been served on both officials.

In a statement dated January 9, 2026, the House said the process was proceeding strictly in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and that it was awaiting responses from the governor and his deputy.

Fubara Calls for Calm

Amid the rising tension, Governor Fubara appealed to residents of Rivers State to remain calm. He made the call during a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, assuring worshippers that “everything will be fine.”

The governor said his decision to remain silent on the political situation was deliberate, noting that he was drawing strength from his faith in God.

His deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, also addressed the congregation, thanking worshippers for attending the service and urging them to continue to pray for the administration. She said such prayers were helping to sustain the government during the challenging period.

Elders, Civil Groups Warn Against Impeachment

The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum has criticised the impeachment move, warning that it should not be turned into a tool for political vendetta or factional struggles.

In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Gabriel Toby, the forum described the reasons given for the impeachment as weak and lacking constitutional and public interest justification. The elders warned that the process could further divide the state, weaken democratic institutions and deepen political instability.

They also noted that Rivers State is still recovering from the disruptions caused by the previous period of emergency rule.

Similarly, the Civil Liberty Organisation expressed concern that the tense political atmosphere could distort constitutional procedures. The group, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Sunny Dada, and secretary, Chris Onyegbule, cautioned against turning constitutional processes into instruments of conflict.

Wike Speaks on Tinubu, Politics in Rivers

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said President Bola Tinubu has the constitutional right to remove him from office if he chooses to do so.

Wike made the remarks during the grand finale of his “Thank You” tour of local government areas in Rivers State, held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola.

He said his support for President Tinubu in the 2023 elections was based on his confidence in the President’s leadership, stressing that there was no formal agreement between them.

Wike said Tinubu had reciprocated that support by appointing Rivers indigenes into key positions, including his own appointment as FCT Minister. He assured that he and his supporters would continue to back the President.

The FCT minister also dismissed the chances of former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in Rivers State, saying he could not secure more than 10 per cent of the votes, even under his new political platform.

Speaking at the event, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, declared Wike as their political leader. He and other political leaders pledged full support for Wike in working toward President Tinubu’s re-election.