By Iniubong Sam
The ongoing political crises in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn as the State House of Assembly has officially initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Ordu.
In a formal notice dated Friday, March 14, 2025, but made public on Monday, March 17, 2025, 26 members of the Assembly signed a petition citing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor. The letter, addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, was titled “Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct Brought Pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999.” A similar letter was issued against the deputy governor.
According to the lawmakers, Governor Fubara violated Sections 120, 121, and 122 of the Constitution by allegedly mismanaging public funds. The notice further referenced a Supreme Court ruling in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024, which criticized the governor’s actions, stating that his resistance to impeachment did not justify what the court described as an attack on the rule of law and the state government.
The impeachment notice follows a series of disputes between the executive and legislative arms, particularly regarding the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Governor Fubara had earlier written to Speaker Amaewhule in a letter dated March 13, 2025, expressing his intention to present the budget on March 19, 2025. He recounted a previous attempt to present the budget on March 12, 2025, when he was reportedly locked out of the Assembly complex despite prior submission of a soft copy.
Fubara stated that despite the political disagreements, the interests of the state and its people should remain the priority. He argued that he had attempted to comply with both the Supreme Court ruling and the Assembly’s directives but was met with resistance.
Over the weekend, Speaker Amaewhule and other lawmakers countered the governor’s claims, accusing him of deliberately frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. They insisted that Fubara had refused to follow due process in re-presenting the budget and challenged him to produce an acknowledged copy of his letter to the Assembly.
As tensions escalate, it remains uncertain whether the impeachment notice has been successfully served on the governor, given the strained communication between both arms of government.
If the impeachment process succeeds, Speaker Amaewhule would be next in line to assume the position of acting governor, raising speculation about the role of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the ongoing crisis, as he had previously vowed to unseat Fubara.
With the impeachment proceedings now underway, all eyes are on Rivers State as the political drama continues to unfold.
