Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The political crisis rocking Rivers State took a significant turn this week as additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly publicly withdrew their backing for the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, signalling a weakening momentum for the controversial effort to remove the state’s executive leadership.
On January 14, 2026, two more lawmakers — Barile Nwakoh of Khana Constituency I and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II — announced that they had reversed their support for the impeachment process and urged their colleagues to halt the effort in favour of dialogue and reconciliation. Their intervention came amid growing appeals from influential leaders and stakeholders within and outside the state for a peaceful resolution to the political impasse.
The withdrawals bring to four the number of legislators who initially endorsed the impeachment notice — out of 26 signatories — but have now called for a rethink. Earlier this week, the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency), and Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency) had taken similar positions, appealing to fellow lawmakers to “temper justice with mercy” and prioritise the state’s stability over escalated political confrontation.
In separate press statements, the latest duo emphasised that while they had previously raised concerns regarding alleged constitutional breaches by the governor and his deputy, they now believe that a negotiated political solution — rather than a full-blown impeachment — would better serve the interests of Rivers State. They cited interventions by respected leaders within the state and the broader Niger Delta region, underscoring the need for statesmanship and unity at a time of heightened socio-economic challenges.
The impeachment bid — formally initiated in early January when the Assembly served notices of alleged gross misconduct — has been a focal point of Rivers politics, reflecting a deep schism between Governor Fubara and a faction of lawmakers aligned with influential political figures, including former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. These tensions have simmered for several years and have previously triggered dramatic interventions, including the declaration of a state of emergency in the state in March 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amidst earlier impeachment threats.
Political analysts view the recent defections from the impeachment camp as a sign that the push to oust the governor may be losing its parliamentary foundation. Under the 1999 Constitution, a governor’s removal requires the support of at least two-thirds of the 32-member House of Assembly, a threshold that is now increasingly difficult to achieve as more lawmakers openly dissent from the initiative.
The calls for dialogue have been amplified by regional powerbrokers and organisations such as the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which recently inaugurated a high-profile reconciliation committee tasked with brokering peace between warring factions in Rivers State and urging a negotiated end to the crisis. Chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation Kanu Agabi SAN, the panel’s efforts signal growing pressure on all parties to de-escalate political hostilities that have clouded governance in the oil-rich state.
Supporters of Governor Fubara say the withdrawal of lawmakers from the impeachment plot vindicates their argument that the move was politically motivated and lacked broad constitutional support from the outset. They argue that emphasis should shift toward governance, service delivery, and collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Critics of the impeachment process, however, maintain that the underlying issues — including alleged constitutional infringements and executive-legislative friction — still require addressing. They welcome the dialogue approach but stress that accountability and due process must remain central to any resolution strategy.
As the House of Assembly prepares to reconvene on January 15, 2026, political observers will be watching whether the impeachment motion is formally withdrawn or amended in response to the growing chorus of calls for political engagement and reconciliation. The outcome may well shape the legislative-executive dynamics in Rivers State for the remainder of the governor’s tenure.
The evolving situation highlights the complex interplay between constitutional processes, party politics and regional influence in Nigeria’s sub-national governance, underscoring how internal party divisions and strategic negotiations can alter the trajectory of high-stakes political contests.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments