The Rivers Grassroot Movement (RGM) has strongly condemned the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, describing the action as an assault on democracy and the will of the people of Rivers State.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the group said the impeachment move was politically motivated and designed to destabilise the state, alleging that it was being orchestrated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in collaboration with the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule.
According to RGM, the impeachment proceedings represent a calculated attempt to derail governance in Rivers State and reverse the progress recorded under Governor Fubara’s administration.
The group accused the Speaker of harbouring personal ambitions to ascend to the governorship through “undemocratic backdoor channels,” at the expense of the state’s stability and development.
The movement dismissed allegations that Governor Fubara failed to properly present the 2025 budget, noting that during the period of emergency rule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted the Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, which passed it into law on June 25, 2025. RGM stressed that Rivers State is currently operating under a valid and lawful fiscal framework.
On claims surrounding the non-presentation of the 2026 budget, the group cited Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which allows a governor to authorise expenditure for up to six months where a new appropriation law has not yet been passed. It argued that since the 2025 budget was approved in June 2025, the fiscal year effectively runs until August 2026, leaving ample constitutional time for the presentation of the 2026 budget.
RGM further accused the Assembly of deliberately creating a budgetary crisis, pointing out that lawmakers adjourned on December 5, 2025, until January 26, 2026, only to reconvene abruptly on January 8, 2026, to commence impeachment proceedings.
The group also rejected allegations that the governor unlawfully approved a ₦100,000 bonus for lawmakers, describing such claims as hypocritical. It recalled that during the emergency rule, each legislator allegedly received ₦450 million and an SUV under the then Sole Administrator, without raising constitutional objections.
Commending Governor Fubara’s leadership, RGM said the administration had continued to deliver on infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic empowerment despite political distractions. The group described the governor’s handling of state affairs as prudent, transparent and people-focused.
RGM called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and rein in the FCT Minister, warning that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State poses a threat not only to the state but also to the stability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement accused Wike of fostering political chaos through what it described as a “Rainbow Coalition,” alleging that it was designed to weaken party structures and create parallel political power blocs.
It warned that allowing such actions to continue could replicate the internal crises that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In its concluding remarks, RGM passed a vote of confidence on Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu, pledging unwavering support for their administration and urging them to seek re-election in 2027.
The group called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately withdraw the impeachment proceedings and allow peace, governance and development to prevail in the state.
The statement was signed by Hon. Amb. Jackrich Sobomabo Egberipapa on behalf of the Rivers Grassroot Movement.
