The Rivers State House of Assembly has halted impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following mounting legal and political challenges.
The decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, as ongoing court cases and consultations stalled further legislative action.
The impeachment process, initiated in January 2026, cited seven allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara under Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. Majority Leader Major Jack presented the notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers.
The allegations included the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy.
Separate allegations were also filed against Odu, accusing her of unconstitutional expenditure, obstructing legislative activities, approving budgets through unauthorised channels, and withholding salaries and allowances.
However, the process encountered a legal roadblock when Rivers State Chief Judge, Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, declined to constitute the required seven-member investigative panel. He cited an interim injunction issued on January 16, 2026, by Justice Florence A. Fiberesima of the Rivers State High Court, which restrained further action on the impeachment.
The crisis also drew political reactions. The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress described the impeachment move as destabilising.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu reportedly convened a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa involving Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amid efforts to ease tensions.
Wike later confirmed that the President initiated the February 9 meeting to broker peace between the governor and state lawmakers. He expressed optimism that the intervention would bring lasting stability.
This marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu. A similar move in March 2025 escalated into a constitutional crisis, prompting Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspend key officials, including the governor and lawmakers, before political reconciliation restored normalcy.
The latest suspension of impeachment proceedings signals a temporary pause in the political standoff, pending judicial determinations and ongoing reconciliation efforts.
