The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally set the impeachment machinery in motion against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, serving both officials with notices of alleged gross misconduct in a dramatic escalation of the state’s political crisis.
Invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 26-member Assembly accused the governor and deputy governor of serial constitutional violations, ranging from financial recklessness to actions described as a deliberate undermining of the legislature’s authority.
The notice of allegations against Governor Fubara was read on the floor of the House by the Assembly Leader, Major Jack, while the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice detailing alleged misconduct by the deputy governor during Wednesday’s plenary sitting.
In the impeachment notice, lawmakers itemised several acts they classified as gross misconduct, insisting that the actions of the executive arm have crippled legislative functions and violated constitutional provisions.
Among the allegations are claims that the governor failed to present the state’s annual budget to the House of Assembly for approval, a move lawmakers say undermines the legislature’s core oversight role. The Assembly also accused the executive of spending public funds without legislative authorisation.
Further accusations include the alleged withholding of salaries and operational funds meant for the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and the Assembly Service Commission. Lawmakers argued that this action was calculated to weaken the institution and stifle its independence.
The impeachment notice also accused the governor of sidestepping constitutionally required legislative screening processes by making appointments through unauthorised channels. Another contentious allegation is the demolition of the Assembly Complex without consultation or approval from the legislature.
According to the lawmakers, these actions collectively point to what they described as a fundamental “lack of capacity to discharge constitutional responsibilities” by both the governor and his deputy.
Constitutional Process Begins
The Speaker of the House assured members that the notices of impeachment would be formally served on Governor Fubara and his deputy within the constitutionally stipulated seven-day window.
Section 188 of the Constitution outlines a strict process for impeachment, requiring the presentation of allegations, an opportunity for the affected officials to respond, and a thorough investigation before any final decision is taken.
The impeachment move comes against the backdrop of deepening political fault lines in Rivers State. Tensions have continued to rise between Governor Fubara and key political actors, including his long-running rift with former Rivers governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The state’s political landscape has also been unsettled by recent developments such as the defection of several Rivers lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a Supreme Court ruling touching on emergency rule debates, and widespread realignments within Rivers political structures.
Once the notices are officially delivered, Governor Fubara and his deputy will have seven days to submit written responses to the allegations. Thereafter, the House of Assembly is expected to constitute an investigative panel to probe the claims.
For the impeachment to succeed, at least two-thirds of the 32-member Assembly must vote in favour of removing the governor and his deputy, following the panel’s findings.
As Rivers State braces for the next phase of this unfolding political showdown, all eyes remain on the Assembly and the constitutional processes that could redefine the state’s leadership.
