Port Harcourt, Rivers State – January 8, 2026 – The protracted political turmoil in Rivers State reached a new height on Thursday as the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike commenced impeachment proceedings against incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.
The session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, saw the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read out a notice detailing the charges. These include deliberate refusal to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, breach of a peace agreement facilitated by President Bola Tinubu, and other acts deemed unconstitutional.
In a fiery address during the plenary, Speaker Amaewhule launched a scathing attack on Governor Fubara, describing his leadership as unprecedentedly poor. "Sim Fubara is a mistake, a mistake," Amaewhule declared, adding, "Rivers State has never had it this bad." He further stated: "The governor does not want to present any budget because if he wanted to, he would have done it all this while. In the entire Nigeria, Sim and Professor Ngozi Odu are the only two people in the sub-national office that are yet to present 2026 appropriation bill. The entire country!"
Amaewhule's remarks underscore the Assembly's frustration over the delayed budget presentation. Although the Rivers State Executive Council approved a N1.854 trillion budget proposal tagged "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development" on January 2, 2026, it has not been laid before the legislature. The Speaker argued that this inaction has left the state operating without a formal appropriation law for the new fiscal year, constituting gross misconduct.
As part of resolutions passed during the session, the Assembly barred Governor Fubara from presenting the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework or the 2026 budget until the impeachment probe concludes. The notice of impeachment is to be formally served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in compliance with constitutional provisions.
This development revives the intense power struggle that has plagued Rivers State since 2023, pitting Fubara against his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The crisis has involved defections, court battles over legislative legitimacy, and multiple failed peace interventions, including one brokered by President Tinubu in late 2023.
The Amaewhule-led faction claims legitimacy following various court rulings, while a rival group aligned with Fubara recognizes Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo as Speaker. However, the pro-Wike lawmakers have continued to hold sessions and pass resolutions, often leading to parallel governance structures.
Political analysts view the impeachment move as a strategic escalation amid ongoing legal disputes. The Assembly also threatened mass resignation if the process is obstructed, with Amaewhule stating it would be "better we all resign" than allow alleged constitutional breaches to persist.
Governor Fubara's camp has yet to issue an official response to Thursday's proceedings, but supporters have historically dismissed actions by the Amaewhule faction as illegal. Earlier plans indicated Fubara intended to present the 2026 budget in a renovated Assembly complex, but the adjournment of the pro-Wike House until late January complicated timelines.
The delay in budget presentation has raised concerns about governance continuity in the oil-rich state. While the executive approved the proposal early in the year, legislative approval is required for full implementation. Critics of Fubara argue the hold-up disrupts development projects, while his allies blame the divided Assembly for creating impediments.
As tensions mount, security has been heightened in Port Harcourt, with fears of protests or clashes between rival political camps. The outcome of this impeachment attempt could reshape Rivers State's political landscape ahead of future elections.
This latest chapter highlights the fragility of the 2023 peace deal and the enduring influence of Wike in state affairs. Observers note that similar impeachment efforts in 2023 and 2024 were halted by court interventions or external mediation, leaving open the possibility of judicial interference once again.
Residents express mixed reactions, with some decrying the distraction from governance issues like infrastructure and security, while others see it as accountability for perceived executive overreach.
The proceedings have dominated national headlines, reigniting debates on federalism, party loyalty, and the role of godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
