Rivers State was tense and uneasy Monday after the state House of Assembly began the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu.
An impending impeachment procedure was indicated when Fubara and Prof. Odu received a notice of alleged egregious misconduct from the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, which was loyal to Nyesom Wike, the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Speaker received a notice outlining the alleged misbehavior as a follow-up to a letter signed by 26 Assembly members on March 14, 2025.
On Monday, March 17, 2025, Speaker Amaewhule submitted the warning to the governor and his deputy in two distinct letters that he signed.
Speaker, Martins Amaewhule and Governor Siminalayi Fubara
Since some Ijaw organizations had promised a regional crisis if Fubara was impeached, the development has increased political tension in the state.
The possible impeachment of Fubara, who is of Ijaw ancestry, has recently been met with considerable opposition from the Ijaw Youth Council, the Ijaw National Congress, and other organizations.
They emphasized their commitment to upholding the governor’s mandate and cautioned that his removal may destabilize the area and have an impact on oil production, warning that such measures could cause unrest.
Sensing the threat, President Bola Tinubu invited leaders of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum last week, including King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, and Victor Attah, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chairman of the forum’s board of trustees.
Amb Godknows Igali, the National Chairman of PANDEF, was also a member of the delegation.
“Yes, the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg,” Tinubu remarked in his address to the delegation. We lose the golden egg if we don’t take care of the goose.
“I understand your signal and your worries, especially with Rivers State. I’ve been working on the problem for a while. Before I took action, I anticipated that the crisis would fester for too long.
“We came to a written agreement that was signed by both parties.”
He requested that the PANDEF leaders step in and advise Fubara to follow the course of stability and peace.
“Please return home and assist in putting the court decisions into effect as soon as feasible. I’m giving you the upper hand.
“Assist the governor by quietly and publicly intervening and offering advice. The president urged everyone to follow the path of peace and stability.
The reconciliation committee and PANDEF leaders met with Fubara after the meeting, but attempts to meet with Wike were unsuccessful.
The MPs rejected Fubara’s attempts to deliver the budget last week in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling that granted the Amaewhule Assembly legitimacy.
In a media conversation broadcast on many television stations last week, Wike denied the threat against oil installations and asked his supporters to impeach Fubara if needed.
The 26 lawmakers claimed it was “in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws” in the notification they issued to the governor on Monday.
The governor has committed 19 constitutional violations, according to the letter.
“We, the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who have signed this letter, officially notify you, the Speaker, of the flagrant misbehavior committed by the Governor of Rivers State while carrying out his official duties.
Careless and unconstitutional use of public monies in violation of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitutional Sections 120, 121 (1) (2), and 122 (as modified).
“Preventing the Rivers State House of Assembly, another branch of government safeguarded by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Constitution, from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.”
“Appointing 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,” was one of the other accusations of misconduct made against Fubara.
In violation of Section 121(3) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Constitution and other current legislation, the genuine Rivers State House of Assembly’s salary, allowances, and cash are seized.
“Seizing the salary of Mr. Emeka Amadi, the clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
As a result, the House declared that Fubara had proven incapable of running the state in accordance with his oath of office and the Nigerian Constitution.
“We conclude by stating, Mr. Speaker, that the governor has demonstrated that he is not prepared to govern Rivers State in accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Constitution and his oath of office,” the statement read.
The deputy governor received a similar notification accusing her of being complicit in the alleged crimes.
In violation of Section 121(1)(2) of the Constitution, Her Excellency Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, conspired with Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, and refused to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 to the House of Assembly. He also disregarded the Federal High Court’s ruling that “as it stands in law, no Appropriation Bill of Rivers State has been presented nor 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.”
“That in violation of Section 120 of the Constitution, 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 because they authorized or approved withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State in the 2024 fiscal year without an appropriation law properly passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
A copy of the letter from his colleagues was attached to Amaewhule’s letter to the governor and deputy governor, acknowledging receipt of the correspondence.
Therefore, he advised the governor and the deputy governor to appropriately address the aforementioned accusations.
The Speaker’s letter stated, “I received a copy of the notice, dated March 14, 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 Sections 188(1) and (2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, 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 aforementioned Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct received by me on March 14, 2025, copy attached.”
“You are requested to respond to the allegations made against you in the allegations of gross misconduct.”
“In doing so, 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 the holder of the office in response to the allegation contained in the notice), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate, whether or not the allegation shall
“Please be guided accordingly and do accept my esteemed regards.”
Regarding the complaints against the deputy governor forwarded to the Speaker, the 26 MPs accused Prof Odu of failing to deputize for her principal in accordance with the constitution and her oath of office.
The letter continued with the following: “Mr. Speaker, we conclude by stating that the Deputy Governor has shown that she is not prepared to deputize 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 are frustrating Fubara’
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, stated that the lawmakers’ actions were already having an impact on the public.
“It is apparent that with the Assembly’s current activities, civil servants, retirees, and state residents will experience unthinkable economic problems, as the government would be unable to pay salaries, pensions, and other emoluments, as well as complete other duties 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 told reporters.
The commissioner chastised the parliamentarians, claiming that their acts constituted collateral damage because the failure to release warehoused earnings owed to the state from the Federation Account would eventually halt the operation of all government sectors.
While repeating that the governor was willing to enforce the Supreme Court decision, he stated that the parliamentarians’ actions were frustrating him.
“It is now widely known that members of the Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to fully implement the Supreme Court’s decision on the long-running political and legal battle that has lingered since the failed impeachment attempt 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 went on to say, “If this opportunity to save the state fails, the people and inhabitants of the state, without exception, are doomed to endure preventable disasters of economic, social, and political upheavals that could plunge us deeper into inconceivable problems. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
APC factions are divided.
The impeachment notice against Fubara separated the two factions of Rivers State’s All Progressives Congress.
While the Tony Okocha-led faction defended the rule of law, the Emeka Beke-led faction loyal to Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, chastised the MPs for their behavior.
Chibike Ikenga, Okocha’s Publicity Secretary, told our correspondent over the phone, “For us as APC, the rule of law and proper processes must be observed in the governance of the state.
“Whatever the governor or the House of Assembly intend to do must be consistent with their oaths of office and 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.”
Chizi Enyi, Beke’s Chief of Staff, asked where the Assembly, which had adjourned indefinitely a few days before, sat to deliver a notice to the governor and his deputy.
He claimed that the parliamentarians chose not to sit and instead wrote letters and issued notifications, claiming that they had failed the people and deserved to be recalled.
He remarked, “The notice that the House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, gave to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is what Rivers people consider blackmail.
“We haven’t heard about the Assembly sitting since after Friday. They said they adjourned sine die, and they have yet to sit anywhere in Rivers State today.
“The next thing we saw on social media was that they resolved on Friday and also wrote to Martin that they want to examine the governor’s terrible wrongdoing, so Martin Amaewhule, having received their letter on the same Friday, wrote to the governor.
“They wrote to the governor and determined that he will not see it. As a result, they have decided to publish the letter in four or three major national dailies.
Enyi urged the governor to rise to the situation, stating the people supported him.
“If I were the governor of Rivers State, as much as they have refused to sit where the governor has designated, they cannot sit where they chose and establish laws for the state.
“We are all Rivers people, and the government must provide a proper location for Rivers State House of Assembly members to meet.
“Although the sacred chambers of the Assembly are now under construction, they cannot just sit in their bedroom.
“Just like today, they did not sit anywhere. They were nowhere near where they claimed to be sitting in the Assembly quarters. “The next thing we saw was letters flying across social media,” he added.
The court reserved its decision.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has delayed a case filed by the Labour Party in Rivers State challenging Amaewhule’s alleged defection along with 26 other lawmakers.
Justice Emmanuel Obile adjourned the case until April 16, 2025, after counsel for Martin Amaewhule and 26 of his colleagues, Ken Njemanze (SAN), adopted their final written addresses in a fresh application.
Njemanze had requested the court to amend their prior prayer to dismiss a defection complaint against the Speaker and 26 others in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, which raised questions about the MPs’ legitimacy.
He emphasized that if the court did not reject the action, it would be rewriting the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Njemanze (SAN)’s oral request was not challenged by Clifford Chukwu, lawyer for the LP.
Chukwu, on the other hand, contended that the subject of defection was a collateral issue in a Supreme Court decision and petitioned the court to dismiss the defendants’ application.
He stated that the deponent to the defendants’ affidavit is a lawyer whose name appears on the action, which is against the procedure, and requested that the court review the case on its merits.
After hearing from the parties, Justice Obile adjourned the motion until April 16, 2025.
Police alleviate tension
On Monday, the Rivers State Police Command denied online allegations of disturbances in sections of the state and an attack on Governor Wike’s mansion.
Following the state’s political crisis, some enraged citizens set fire to the former governor’s home on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday, according to social media.
In a statement made in Port Harcourt on Monday, Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state Police Command, dismissed the story as a false alarm by mischief makers.
Iringe-Koko stated there was no violence or an act of arson against the residents of the FCT minister, pointing out that the bogus report attempted to cause unrest and terror among law-abiding individuals and residents of the state
The message advised individuals responsible for such false claims to resist immediately, stating that the weight of the law would catch up with them if they did not heed the instructions.
“The Rivers State Police Command has been alerted to a false and malicious report circulating on various online media platforms, falsely claiming that riots had erupted in Rivers State, resulting in the burning of the residence of former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as well as other acts of violence.”
“The leadership emphatically affirms that this information is completely untrue, unsubstantiated, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to stir discontent and panic among law-abiding inhabitants.
“There is no record of such an incidence, and all is normal across the state.
“The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded claims, which are clearly intended to cause panic and destabilize the relative peace and security enjoyed by the good people of Rivers State,” a statement said.
Tantita promises protection.
Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has, however, committed to continue monitoring and protecting oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.
Dr Paul Bebenimibo, the outfit’s Head of Media, told The PUNCH that the Federal Government-contracted private pipeline surveillance outfit would continue to carry out its job regardless of the situation.
He stated that any pipeline vandal will be treated as a criminal.
He explained, “We have a contractual relationship with the Federal Government to protect oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.
“This is what we are doing, and we will continue to do so despite threats from anywhere.
“The public should be aware that we will not tolerate anyone trespassing on the property that we have been tasked with protecting. If somebody does that, we will certainly regard it as a criminal matter.
“We are on the ground, and we can assure the government that nobody can come in and disrupt our operations.”
