The Rivers State government has dismissed the notice of impeachment against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, stating that no formal letter has been received by the state House of Assembly on the issue of gross misconduct, as reported by LindaIkeji Blog. The Impeachment notice of March 14 was signed by 26 lawmakers, whose leader is Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who is a Wike loyalist.
The lawmakers accused Fubara of excessive spending, frustration of legislative initiatives, and unapproved appointments. They also asked him and his deputy to respond within 14 days, in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barrister Joseph Johnson, termed the move as a rumour, stating that the governor has not been officially advised.
He blamed the lawmakers for attempting to undermine Fubara’s move towards complying with the ruling of the Supreme Court on Rivers’ prolonged political crisis. Johnson also blamed the assembly for deepening economic hardship for civil servants and pensioners by referencing the ongoing capture of the state’s disbursement.
He again reaffirmed that Fubara remains adamant in upholding the court order, including his directive to chairmen of councils to transfer to their administrative leaders. In the wake of this move, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has set August 9, 2025, for the holding of new local government elections.
This is the second attempt at impeaching Fubara. The first on October 30, 2023, had 24 legislators against him, resulting in bloody fighting, burning down the assembly complex, and its later destruction to ashes.
Fubara later claimed he narrowly escaped assassination in the melee. In a corollary, the house has requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for suspected extra-budgetary spending.
The lawmakers accused Danagogo of financial impropriety, as had previously been accused by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who accused the SSG of being at the center of fueling the political crisis in the state—obtaining a court injunction against Fubara from validating the 27 lawmakers.
