The Rivers State House of Assembly, the legislative arm of government in Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states in the southern Niger Delta region, has firmly stated that the impeachment process initiated against the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, is still ongoing and has not been suspended.
The clarification was contained in an official press statement issued on Friday and signed by Enemi George, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints. The statement was released amid growing public debate and reports suggesting that the impeachment effort had been halted.
According to the lawmakers, the impeachment process began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and is being conducted strictly in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. Okay News reports that the Assembly stressed its resolve to follow due process without external interference.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly is pleased to inform the good people of Rivers State that the impeachment process commenced by the House on Thursday, January 8, 2026 is fully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the statement said.
The Assembly disclosed that two separate notices detailing allegations of gross misconduct were issued against Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu. These notices, brought under Section 188 of the Constitution, were formally transmitted to them by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Chike Amaewhule.
“The two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy Governor have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House while we await their responses,” the statement added.
Lawmakers further emphasized that the Assembly is constitutionally empowered to defend the rule of law and check alleged infractions by public office holders. They described this responsibility as a duty they must carry out in the interest of democratic governance.
Reacting strongly to claims that the process had been discontinued, the Assembly accused certain individuals and media platforms of deliberately spreading false information to mislead the public and create distrust between the legislature and citizens.
“We are aware that certain persons and media platforms are at it again to misinform the public, particularly to the effect that the process has been halted or discontinued,” the statement noted.
Calling on residents to ignore such claims, the Assembly maintained that it would not be intimidated or distracted by what it described as “cheap blackmail or threats” from those opposed to the process.
The lawmakers also thanked the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers, while extending what they called “warm regards to all democrats who believe in the Nigerian project.”
During plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara. The allegations reportedly include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling on the financial autonomy of state legislatures.
The impeachment move comes days after Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused Governor Fubara of abandoning a peace agreement reportedly brokered by Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 2025 to resolve political tensions in the state.
