Tension Escalates in Rivers State as Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara and Deputy Begin

Tension gripped Rivers State on Monday following the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu by the state House of Assembly. The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, served the two leaders with notices of alleged gross misconduct, signaling the start of a potential impeachment process.

The impeachment notice, listing several alleged infractions, was delivered to the Speaker of the Assembly, Amaewhule, in a letter dated March 14, 2025, signed by 26 members of the Assembly. Amaewhule subsequently sent the notice in two separate letters on March 17, 2025, to both Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu. This marked the beginning of a high-stakes political drama in the state, already fraught with tensions.

The accusations against the governor include claims of “reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds,” hindering the Assembly’s operations, and appointing individuals to state offices without the required screening and confirmation process. The Assembly also accused Fubara of withholding salaries and allowances, including those of the Assembly Clerk, Mr. Emeka Amadi. These alleged actions have prompted lawmakers to declare that the governor is unfit to govern in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

In a similar move, the Assembly sent a notice to Deputy Governor Odu, accusing her of complicity in the alleged misconduct. The notice claims that she supported Fubara’s failure to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill for 2024, in violation of constitutional requirements, and of backing Fubara’s actions that authorized withdrawals from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund without the necessary appropriation law.

The political crisis has deepened, with some Ijaw groups threatening unrest if Fubara is impeached. The Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council have strongly opposed the move, arguing that removing a governor of Ijaw descent could destabilize the region, potentially affecting the oil industry and causing widespread unrest.

In response to these tensions, President Bola Tinubu intervened last week, meeting with the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leadership, including former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah and King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom. During the meeting, Tinubu expressed his concern over the crisis, stating, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.”

Tinubu further emphasized the need for peace, urging PANDEF leaders to mediate and counsel Governor Fubara to pursue stability. He also highlighted that an agreement had been reached, and both parties had signed it, calling for the implementation of court rulings and swift action to defuse the situation.

Following the President’s intervention, PANDEF leaders, along with a reconciliation committee, met with Governor Fubara. However, attempts to meet with Nyesom Wike, the former governor and current political kingmaker, were unsuccessful. Fubara’s recent attempts to present the state’s budget in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling were also rejected by the legislature, further escalating tensions.

Last week, in a televised media chat, former Governor Wike dismissed concerns over potential threats to oil installations. He boldly urged the lawmakers loyal to him to proceed with the impeachment if they deemed it necessary. This public endorsement of the impeachment process added another layer of complexity to an already volatile political climate.

In the letters sent to both the governor and his deputy, Speaker Amaewhule emphasized that the proceedings were in compliance with the Nigerian Constitution’s provisions, specifically Section 188. He called on both Fubara and Odu to respond to the allegations within 14 days, stating that the Assembly would decide whether or not to investigate the charges without debate.