The bid to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, has encountered another major obstacle following the withdrawal of support by two additional members of the State House of Assembly, further weakening momentum for the process.
The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, publicly stepped back from the impeachment move and urged a peaceful approach to resolving the political crisis rocking the state.
Their decision came barely 48 hours after two other legislators announced similar withdrawals, deepening the internal cracks within the Assembly over the contentious process.
While both lawmakers acknowledged that there may have been constitutional concerns surrounding the conduct of the governor and his deputy, they explained that their change of position was influenced by interventions from respected leaders and key stakeholders.
According to them, these appeals emphasised restraint, dialogue and the need to prioritise peace and stability in Rivers State above political confrontation.
With this latest development, four out of the 26 lawmakers who initially signed the notice of alleged gross misconduct have now distanced themselves from the impeachment effort. The growing number of withdrawals reflects increasing calls within the Assembly for dialogue and reconciliation rather than escalation.
Attention is now turning to the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as it prepares to reconvene plenary on January 15, 2026. Observers are watching closely to see how the House will manage the widening divisions and whether the impeachment process will lose further support or be recalibrated in favour of political engagement.
Earlier, the Minority Leader of the House, Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma Constituency, alongside Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency, had announced their withdrawal from the impeachment proceedings during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
At the time, the lawmakers appealed to their colleagues to pursue alternative avenues for resolving the political deadlock, cautioning that sustained tension and instability could further disrupt governance and undermine public confidence in the state’s political institutions.
What you should know
The impeachment attempt against Governor Siminalayi Fubara is unfolding amid a prolonged political feud in Rivers State that has repeatedly tested the balance between executive and legislative authority.
Withdrawals by lawmakers do not automatically end impeachment proceedings, but they significantly weaken the numerical and political strength required to sustain the process.
As divisions deepen within the Assembly, pressure is mounting on political actors to embrace dialogue and negotiated settlements to prevent further instability that could affect governance, development and public trust in the state.
