The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, marking a major escalation in the long-running political crisis in the state.
The process was initiated during plenary on Thursday, with lawmakers accusing the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct. The sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
Although the specific allegations were yet to be fully detailed at the session, the move signals a deepening rift between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
The impeachment process is unfolding against the backdrop of renewed political hostilities between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The power struggle between the two political heavyweights has continued to shape governance and legislative activities in the state.
Tensions within the Rivers political space heightened on December 5, 2025, when a majority of lawmakers in the State Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The development further weakened the governor’s influence within the legislature.
Days after the lawmakers’ defection, Governor Fubara also formalised his own move from the PDP to the APC, a decision that many observers interpreted as an attempt to stabilise his political standing amid mounting pressure.
Despite these party switches, the political rivalry between Fubara and Wike has remained intense. Their strained relationship, characterised by public statements and indirect exchanges, previously contributed to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State in March 2025, a move that underscored the depth of the crisis.
Most members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are believed to remain loyal to Wike, a factor that appears to have strengthened the lawmakers’ resolve to challenge the governor’s leadership.
As the impeachment process progresses, attention is now focused on the next steps to be taken by the Assembly, the response of the governor, and the broader implications for governance and political stability in Rivers State.
