Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Sim Fubara, escalating a long-running political crisis that has unsettled one of Nigeria’s most economically strategic states. The legislature’s move was confirmed in Port Harcourt on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as lawmakers adopted and circulated a notice of allegations against the governor in line with constitutional provisions.
Lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, presented a notice of alleged gross misconduct alleging violations of the Nigerian Constitution and executive overreach. The impeachment notice, sponsored by a majority of assembly members, accuses the governor of actions perceived as undermining the rule of law and legislative authority. Amaewhule indicated that the letter of allegations would be formally delivered to the governor within the next seven days, as required by legislative procedure.
The development marks a significant chapter in the protracted standoff between the state legislature — which is widely seen as aligned with political interests opposed to the governor — and Governor Fubara, whose tenure has been beset by intra-party splits, legal battles and periodic administrative paralysis.
Tensions between the executive and legislative branches in Rivers State have simmered for months, rooted in disputes over budget approvals, appointments and interpretations of constitutional authority. The conflict drew national attention last year when a faction of pro-legislative politicians served Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, with impeachment notices on allegations of gross misconduct — including accusations related to the handling of state finances and executive directives that lawmakers deemed unconstitutional.
The situation previously escalated to the point of intervention by the federal government in March 2025, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State amid fears of a complete breakdown of governance. The declaration resulted in the temporary suspension of the governor, the deputy governor and the entire House of Assembly, and saw the appointment of a sole administrator to oversee state affairs. The emergency rule expired in mid-September 2025, and Fubara, along with the legislature, resumed their respective mandates.
Despite the resumption of constitutional functions, political fault lines have persisted. Critics of the governor argue that his leadership has been marked by executive actions that sideline the legislature and contravene democratic norms, fueling calls for accountability through impeachment. Supporters of Fubara, however, maintain that the impeachment drives are politically motivated efforts by rival factions to displace an elected governor and disrupt governance.
Under Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, impeachment proceedings against a state governor require the presentation of specific allegations, a defined process for investigation by a legislative committee, and a two-thirds majority vote for removal. Fubara will have the right to respond to the charges and defend himself as the process unfolds. Legal analysts anticipate that any attempt to remove him will likely be contested in court, given the complex history of political and judicial interventions in the state’s governance conflicts.
The impeachment move has reverberated beyond Rivers State, raising questions about political balance within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the role of influential national figures in state politics, and the broader implications for sub-national democracy in Nigeria. The involvement of former state governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike — a powerful figure whose relationship with Fubara has been contentious — has been cited by observers as a significant dimension of the ongoing crisis.
The fresh impeachment initiative comes at a time when state-federal relations in Nigeria are under strain over resource control, revenue allocation and political authority. For residents of Rivers State — a key oil-producing region — the political tussle has at times overshadowed governance priorities, leading to uncertainties around public services and administrative continuity.
As impeachment proceedings formally begin, attention is focused on how both the governor and the legislature will navigate the constitutional process, the potential for legal challenges, and the response of the electorate and political stakeholders across Nigeria. Observers say the outcome will not only define the immediate future of Rivers State leadership but also send signals about the resilience of democratic mechanisms in the face of entrenched political rivalries.
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