Rivers impeachment crisis deepens as lawmakers allege a plot to stop proceedings against Governor Fubara through court orders
Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Sunday alleged a fresh plot by individuals linked to the executive arm of government to obtain a court order aimed at stopping the legislature from carrying out impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, in Port Harcourt on January 12, 2026.
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The allegation was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi George, shortly after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, concluded his tour of the state’s 23 local government areas.
Dr George said the alleged plot involved plans to secure an ex parte order from a Rivers State High Court sitting outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to restrain the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.
The Rivers impeachment crisis escalated last Thursday when lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy.
The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, accusing the governor of gross misconduct.
The allegations include extra-budgetary spending exceeding N800bn without legislative approval, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and disobedience of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for alleged involvement in unconstitutional expenditures.
Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with constitutional provisions.
In Sunday’s statement, the Assembly described any attempt to halt the process through court orders as illegal and a direct assault on the 1999 Constitution.
Dr George said Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution clearly bar courts from intervening in legislative impeachment proceedings.
He warned that previous rulings of the Court of Appeal had already nullified similar ex parte orders issued by state high courts.
The lawmakers urged those behind the alleged move to exercise restraint and respond to the allegations rather than seek what they described as subterranean tactics to derail the process.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law, describing the impeachment exercise as a lawful and decisive constitutional duty.
The political tension marks the latest chapter in the prolonged fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted following presidential interventions, before President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state in March last year.
Governor Fubara returned to Port Harcourt on Sunday after a brief trip abroad and attended a church service marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, alongside his deputy.
It was the first public appearance of both officials since the fresh impeachment notices were issued.
Despite the growing controversy, the governor and his administration have remained silent on the allegations.
Meanwhile, Wike, during his final local government tour in Obio Akpor, dismissed calls for his removal as minister and defended his political influence in the state.
He later departed Port Harcourt for Abuja amid speculation that President Tinubu may intervene again in the Rivers impeachment crisis.
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Efforts to obtain official confirmation of a planned presidential meeting were unsuccessful as of press time.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
