The Rivers State government has dismissed the impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, stating that no formal communication has been received from the state House of Assembly regarding allegations of gross misconduct.
The notice, issued on March 14 by the assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and controlled by 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, accused Fubara of reckless spending, obstructing legislative processes, and making unauthorized appointments. The notice, signed by 26 lawmakers, instructed the governor and his deputy to respond within 14 days, as required by Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, Barrister Joseph Johnson, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the allegations, claiming the governor had not been officially notified. He accused the lawmakers of attempting to undermine Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the state’s political crisis. Johnson further alleged that the assembly’s actions were worsening economic difficulties for civil servants and pensioners due to the continued seizure of the state’s funds. He reiterated Fubara’s commitment to upholding the court’s ruling, including his directive for local government chairmen to hand over to their administrative heads. In line with this ruling, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025.
This is the second attempt to impeach Governor Fubara. The first, on October 30, 2023, involved 24 lawmakers and led to violent clashes, the burning of the assembly complex, and its eventual demolition. Fubara later claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the crisis.
In a related move, the assembly has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Tammy Danagogo over alleged extra-budgetary spending. Lawmakers have also accused Danagogo of financial misconduct, echoing previous allegations made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who accused him of being central to the political unrest in the state, including securing a court order barring Fubara from recognizing the 27 lawmakers.