By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
In a surprising twist to Rivers State’s lingering political crisis, both the, All Progressives Congress (APC) and groups within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have swiftly rejected the latest impeachment proceedings initiated by the state House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The Rivers State House of Assembly served the impeachment notice primarily due to allegations of gross misconductby Governor Fubara, centred on financial irregularities, reckless spending, failure to present the 2026 budget, obstruction of legislative functions, and non-compliance with court rulings on autonomy, issues tied to the ongoing power struggle with Nyesom Wike and perceived breaches of peace accords brokered by President Tinubu.
The Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, commenced the process during a plenary session on Thursday. The notice, signed by 26 lawmakers and invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, is set to be formally served on the governor and his deputy within the next seven days.
The House accused Fubara of several impeachable offences, including: reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, misappropriation of state resources, hindering the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, illegal appointments without legislative screening and withholding salaries and funds allocated to Assembly members, the Clerk, and the House Service Commission.
Other allegations include: Refusal to implement financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary as mandated by the Supreme Court and failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill or Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
Speaker Amaewhule described Fubara as a “threat to democracy” and insisted the process was in the “interest of Rivers State,” emphasising the governor’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 budget despite repeated entreaties.
The move marks the third impeachment attempt against Fubara since 2023, rooted in his protracted fallout with predecessor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Previous efforts in 2023 and March 2025 were halted by presidential interventions, including a six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu that suspended all elected officials.
Despite his recent defection into the ruling party with most Assembly members, and key PDP figures switching to the APC in December 2025—the rift appears unresolved.
However, the Rivers APC chapter, in a statement by Publicity Secretary Darlington Nwauju, vehemently rejected the proceedings, calling them an “obvious hangover” from old PDP internal strife now threatening an APC-led government.
“Our position is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our governor and his deputy,” Nwauju said. The party warned that allowing such divisions to resurface would destabilise the state and damage the APC’s image.
The APC argued that no impeachable offence had been committed, noting the 2025 budget, approved by the National Assembly during emergency rule, remains valid until mid-2026, with constitutional provisions allowing a six-month spending window into the new fiscal year.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that the APC government in Rivers State is not destabilised,” the statement added, urging APC lawmakers to resist “external pressures” and immediately discontinue the process.
Some PDP stakeholders, aligned with Wike have historically backed pro-impeachment lawmakers, but emerging voices within the party have echoed concerns that the move risks further chaos without clear justification post-defections.
Analysts suggest the APC’s rejection reflects internal party dynamics, with Fubara’s faction gaining ground and viewing the impeachment as a remnant of Wike’s influence despite formal party alignments.
Governor Fubara has yet to respond officially, but sources close to him describe the notice as “politically motivated” and a desperate bid to undermine his administration.
