The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including the failure to present the 2026 budget to the legislature.
The Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, stated that the action followed what lawmakers described as the governor’s continued refusal to submit the state’s appropriation bill and to involve the legislature in key budgetary decisions.
According to the House, the alleged actions amount to impeachable offences as provided for in the Constitution.
The impeachment process was set in motion through a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dumle Maol, and seconded by Hon. Silvernus Nwankwo. Subsequently, the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, formally read out a notice of allegations against Governor Fubara, relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
Details contained in the notice listed several allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, spending outside approved budgets, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and an alleged refusal to obey Supreme Court rulings relating to the financial autonomy of the legislature.
In the same vein, the Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Prof. Odu.
The allegations against her include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, hindering the House from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, allegedly conspiring to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper legislative screening, seeking budget approval from groups outside the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the seizure of salaries and allowances belonging to the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
Reacting to the notices, Speaker Amaewhule explained that the core of the allegations centres on issues surrounding budget presentation and spending outside the framework of the state’s appropriation law.
“It is important that the process we are about to go through is in line with the provisions of the Constitution,” he said. “The particulars of these misconducts have a lot to do with the presentation of budget and spending outside the appropriation law.”
Amaewhule maintained that the governor showed no intention of presenting the 2026 budget, arguing that the Assembly would have received it if such an intention existed. He noted that Rivers State was yet to have an appropriation bill for 2026, a development he described as unprecedented in the state’s history.
The Speaker further alleged that even after the Assembly approved a budget in 2023, the governor allegedly disregarded the appropriation law and awarded contracts outside the approved framework. He accused the governor of actions he claimed had weakened democratic governance and slowed development across the state.
“Our schools are not functioning the way they should. Our youths are not being employed. Our roads are bad, and our hospitals are not fully functional,” Amaewhule said, stressing that lawmakers had reached a stage where “enough is enough.”
He also alleged that President Bola Tinubu had made repeated efforts to intervene by urging the governor to alter his approach, but claimed those efforts were ignored.
Bringing the debate to a close, the Speaker announced that the House would suspend any consideration of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the 2026 appropriation bill until investigations into the allegations of gross misconduct are concluded.
He said, “Let the law take its course. The law has to take its course. We thank Mr. President.
He is a father. Mr. President has done his best. Mr. President has spoken to the governor. In my presence, Mr. President told the governor, I’m giving you a second chance. The governor refused.
“He gave him another one, the governor refused. How many times? Distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. Prayers have been properly conveyed by members.
“Distinguished colleagues, by this motion, this house thereby condemns the refusal of the governor of Rivers state to present the middle-term expedition framework and the 2026 appropriation bill in line with the Rivers State laws and the constitution, respectively, as well as a reckless spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State.
“On this the house is declaring that the house will not proceed with any action for presentation of the middle-term expedition framework and appropriation bill 2026 until the investigation of gross misconduct levelled against the governor has completed.”
Following these resolutions, the Assembly adjourned further proceedings on the impeachment process until January 15.
What you should know
The impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy reflects deepening political tensions between the Rivers State executive and legislature.
At the centre of the dispute are budgetary processes, alleged extra-budgetary spending, and claims of disregard for legislative authority. Impeachment under Section 188 of the Constitution follows a structured process and does not amount to immediate removal from office.
The coming weeks will be crucial as investigations proceed, with implications for governance, stability, and development in Rivers State.
