Impeachment move: Tension in Rivers as Assembly serves Fubara misconduct notice
Tension and apprehension gripped Rivers State on Monday following the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu by the state House of Assembly.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, served Fubara and Prof Odu with a notice of alleged gross misconduct, signalling an imminent impeachment process.
The notice listing the alleged misconduct sent to the Speaker was a sequel to a letter dated March 14, 2025, signed by 26 members of the Assembly.
The Speaker, Amaewhule, sent the notice in two separate letters he signed on Monday, March 17, 2025 and addressed to the governor and his deputy.
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The development has escalated the political tension in the state, as some Ijaw groups had threatened a crisis in the region if Fubara is impeached.
Recently, the Ijaw National Congress, the Ijaw Youth Council and other groups expressed strong opposition to the potential impeachment of Fubara, who is of Ijaw descent.
They warned that such actions could lead to unrest, emphasising their commitment to defending the governor’s mandate and cautioning that his removal might destabilise the region and affect oil production.
Sensing the potential danger, President Bola Tinubu, last week, invited leaders of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, led by its Board of Trustees co-chairmen, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah and the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Also in the delegation was the National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb Godknows Igali.
Addressing the delegation, Tinubu said, “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.
“I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.
“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”
He asked the PANDEF leaders to intervene and counsel Fubara to pursue the path of peace and stability.
“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court.
“Help – privately and openly- intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” the President said.
Following the meeting, the PANDEF leaders and reconciliation committee met with Fubara but efforts to meet with Wike failed.
Efforts by Fubara to present the budget last week, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment that gave legitimacy to the Amaewhule Assembly, were rebuffed by the lawmakers.
Last week, during a media chat aired on several television stations, Wike dismissed the threat against oil installations and urged lawmakers loyal to him to impeach Fubara if necessary.
In the notice sent to the governor on Monday, the 26 lawmakers said it was “in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws.”
The letter listed 19 constitutional breaches and infractions by the governor.
“We, the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, hereby forward to you (Speaker) a notice of gross misconduct by the Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of his office.
“Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds contrary to Sections 120, 121 (1)(2) and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“Hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is another arm of government protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) from performing her constitutional duties.”
Among other allegations of misconduct levelled against Fubara were, “Appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and other extant laws, but making the request for screening to persons other than the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Seizure of salaries, allowances as well as funds standing to the credit of the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, contrary to Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws.
“Seizure of the salary of the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly – Mr Emeka Amadi.”
Consequently, the House said Fubara had demonstrated his inability to govern the state in line with the Nigerian Constitution and his oath of office.
It said, “Mr Speaker, we conclude by stating that the governor has shown that he is not prepared to govern Rivers State in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and his oath of office.”
A similar notice was served on the deputy governor, accusing her of complicity in the alleged misconduct.
“That Her Excellency, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, supported and connived with Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, Governor, Rivers State and refused to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 to the Rivers State House of Assembly, contrary to Section 121(1)(2) of the Constitution and disobeyed the order of the Federal High Court which declared that “thus as it stands in law, no Appropriation Bill of Rivers State has been presented neither has any of such Bill being passed into law as the purported presentation, passage and signing into law of the Appropriation Bill 2024 of Rivers State is void ab initio” and ordered him to present the Appropriation Bill 2024 to the House.
“That Her Excellency, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu DSSRS, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, supported or backed His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State in the State Executive Council meetings as they authorised or approved withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State in the 2024 financial year of Rivers State without an appropriation law duly passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, contrary to Section 120 of the Constitution.”
Amaewhule, in his letter addressed to the governor and deputy governor, acknowledged receipt of the letter from his colleagues, a copy of which was attached to his letter to the duo.
He, therefore, urged the governor and the deputy governor to respond to the said allegations accordingly.
The Speaker’s letter read, “I received a copy of the notice, dated 14th day of March 2025 of allegations of gross misconduct brought against you by twenty-six (26) members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Pursuant to Section 188(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, hereby forward to your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, a copy of the said Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct received by me on the 14h day of March 2025, copy attached.
“You are requested to reply to the allegations made against you in the allegations of gross misconduct accordingly.
“In doing this, your attention is drawn to the provisions of Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides thus: ‘Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice) the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.’
“Please be guided accordingly and do accept my esteemed regards.”
On the allegations against the deputy governor sent to the Speaker, the 26 lawmakers accused Prof Odu of unpreparedness to deputise for her principal in line with the constitution and her oath of office.
The letter read, “Mr Speaker, we conclude by stating that the Deputy Governor has shown that she is not prepared to deputise the governor in governing Rivers State in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and her oath of office.”
‘Lawmakers frustrating Fubara’
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said the action of the lawmakers was already taking its toll on the people.
“It is clear that with the current actions of the Assembly, civil servants, retirees and people of the state will face unimaginable economic hardships, as the government will be unable to pay salaries, pensions and other emoluments as well as perform other obligations at the end of the month.
“Both the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation have been ordered to seize revenue allocations to the state until its judgment is fully implemented,” he said.
The commissioner berated the lawmakers, saying their actions were tantamount to collateral damage, as non-release of warehoused revenues due the state from the Federation Account would ultimately ground the operation of all sectors of the government.
While reiterating that the governor was willing, as he had promised to implement the Supreme Court judgment, he said the actions of the lawmakers were frustrating the governor.
“It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions, refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to fully implement the judgment of the Supreme Court on the long drawn political and legal battle that has lingered since after the ill-fated attempt to impeach him on October 30, 2023.
“Instead of engaging in a futile attempt to launder their image, members of the RSHA are wrongly portraying Governor Fubara—who is fully prepared, willing, and ready to re-present the 2025 budget and implement all aspects of the bizarre and highly controversial judgment of the apex court for the sake of peace—as unwilling to comply with the ruling.”
He continued, “Should this opportunity to pull the state from the precipice fail, the people and residents of the state, without exception, are bound to suffer avoidable calamities of economic, social and political upheavals that might sink us deeper into unimaginable crises. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.”
APC factions divided
The two factions of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State were divided over the impeachment notice against Fubara.
While the Tony Okocha-led faction insisted on the rule of law, the Emeka Beke-led faction loyal to the former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, berated the lawmakers for their actions.
The Okocha-led Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, speaking to our correspondent on the telephone, said, “For us as APC, our position is that the rule of law and due processes must be followed in the administration of the state.
“Whatever the governor wants to do, whatever the House of Assembly wants to do must be in line with their oath of office and oath of allegiance.
“Most importantly, they must obey the spirit and letters of the constitution and anything short of going through the provisions of the constitution, and we will not be part of it.”
The Chief of Staff to Beke, Chizi Enyi, wondered where the Assembly, which adjourned indefinitely a few days ago, sat to issue a notice to the governor and his deputy.
He alleged that the lawmakers decided not to sit but to be writing letters and issuing notices, saying they had failed the people and deserved to be recalled.
He stated, “The notice the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule sent to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is what Rivers people consider blackmail.
“For such a long time, we’ve not heard of the Assembly sitting since after Friday. They said they adjourned sine die and they never sat anywhere in Rivers State today.
“The next thing we saw on social media is that they had resolved on Friday and also wrote to Martin that they want to investigate the gross misconduct of the governor hence Martin Amaewhule too, having received their letter on the same Friday, wrote to the governor.
“Writing to the governor, they have concluded that the governor will not see it. Hence they have also decided to publish the letter in four or three different national dailies.”
Enyi called on the governor to rise to the occasion, saying the people were with him.
“If I am the governor of Rivers State, as much as they have refused to sit where the governor provided, they cannot sit where they decide and make laws for this state.
“We are all Rivers people, and the government must provide a suitable place for the Rivers State House of Assembly members to sit.
“As much as the hallowed chambers of the Assembly are currently under construction, they cannot just sit inside their bedroom.
“Just like today, they didn’t sit anywhere. They were nowhere near where they said they were sitting at the Assembly quarters. The next thing we saw was letters flying on social media,” he said.
Court reserves ruling
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt adjourned for ruling in a suit filed by the Labour Party in Rivers State against the alleged defection of Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers.
Justice Emmanuel Obile gave the adjournment to April 16, 2025, after counsel representing the parties adopted their final written addresses in a fresh application by counsel for Martin Amaewhule and 26 of his colleagues, Ken Njemanze (SAN).
Njemanze had asked the court to change their earlier prayer of striking out a defection suit against the Speaker and the 26 others to dismiss the suit, following the judgment of the Supreme Court, which touched on the legitimacy of the lawmakers.
He insisted that failure of the court to dismiss the suit would amount to rewriting the judgment of the apex court.
The oral request of Njemanze (SAN) was not opposed by counsel for the LP, Clifford Chukwu.
Chukwu, however, argued that the issue of defection was a collateral issue in a matter decided by the Supreme Court and asked the court to strike out the application of the defendants.
He argued that the deponent to the affidavit of the defendants is a lawyer whose name also appears on the suit, against the practice and asked the court to hear the matter on its merit.
Justice Obile, after hearing from the parties, adjourned to April 16, 2025, for ruling on the motion.
Police diffuse tension
The Rivers State Police Command on Monday dismissed online reports of riots in parts of the state and an attack on Wike’s residence as false.
Social media was awash with reports that some aggrieved persons had set fire to the residence of the former governor along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday following the political crisis in the state.
The spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, described the report as a false alarm by mischief makers.
Iringe-Koko said there was neither any violence nor an act of arson on the residents of the FCT minister, pointing out that the baseless report aimed to ignite unrest and fear among law-abiding citizens and residents of the state.
The statement warned those behind such false reports to resist forthwith, adding that the weight of the law would catch up with them if they did not heed the advice.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a misleading and malicious report circulating on various online media platforms, falsely claiming that riots have erupted in Rivers State, leading to the burning of the residence of the former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with other acts of violence.
“The command categorically states that this report is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to incite unrest and spread fear among law-abiding residents.
“There is no record of any such incident, and normalcy prevails across the state.
“The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded claims, which are clearly intended to cause panic and destabilise the relative peace and security enjoyed by the good people of Rivers State,” the statement read.
Tantita vows protection
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has, however, promised to continue its surveillance and security for oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.
The Head of Media of the outfit, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, told The PUNCH that the Federal Government-contracted private pipeline surveillance outfit would continue to keep to its mandate, whatever the situation.
He said any pipeline vandal would be treated as a criminal.
He said, “We are in a contractual agreement with the Federal Government to protect oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.
“And this is what we are doing, and we will continue to do it despite threats from anywhere.
“The public should take note that we are not going to allow anybody to trespass on what we are asked to protect. If anybody does that, we would surely treat that case as a criminal case.
“We are on the ground, and we can assure the government that nobody can come in and disrupt our operations.
