Victor EzejaAs the political crisis in Rivers State lingers, the State Assembly led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule has begun moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Twenty-six lawmakers in the State House of Assembly have issued a notice of allegations of “gross misconduct” against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a letter dated 17th March 2025 addressed to Governor Fubara, the Speaker, Amaewhule, said he had received a notice of allegations of gross misconduct brought against the governor by the state assembly lawmakers pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The speaker said he received the notice of the allegations on 14 March 2025 from the lawmakers who are not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly and was hereby forwarding a copy of the said notice.
“I received a copy of the Notice dated 14″ 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,” a copy of the letter sighted by Prime Business Africa reads.
“Pursuant to Section 188 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I, Rt. Han. 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 14th day of March 2025, copy attached.”
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The speaker requested the governor to reply to the allegations made against him in the said Notice. He drew the attention of Governor Fubara to provisions of Section 188(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, (as amended), which provides that within 14 days of the presentation of the notice, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated irrespective of whether or not the holder of the office (this time, the governor), replied to the allegations contained in the notice.
In the letter signed by 26 lawmakers, they accused the governor of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office.
“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 and his oath of office,” part of the letter from the lawmakers to the speaker read.
READ ALSO: Fubara vs. Lawmakers: Political War That Could Reshape Rivers State
The lawmakers also alleged that the governor has been “reckless” in spending public funds contrary to Sections 120, 121 (1)(2) and 122 of the 1999 Constitution.
The notice of “gross misconduct” allegation is the first stage of impeachment proceedings.
Back Story
The state has been in the throes of political conflict that stemmed from the power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The conflict led to a split of the Rivers Assembly lawmakers with four loyal to the incumbent governor and 27 supporting Wike.
The earlier move by the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to the declaration of their seats vacant and the refusal of the governor to recognise them as the state’s lawmakers.
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: PANDEF Urges Tinubu To Intervene, Says Wike Not Ready For Peace
At the height of the conflict in 2023, an attempt to impeach the governor led to the destruction of the Rivers House of Assembly.
The crisis, which has been on for more than 18 months, took a new turn after the 28 February 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which upheld a Federal High Court ruling barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing Rivers State’s statutory monthly allocations.
The apex court ordered the 27 lawmakers to resume sitting with immediate effect and mandated the governor to re-present the 2025 budget earlier done before only the four House of Assembly members loyal to him.
The court also declared the state’s 5 October 2024 local government elections null and void.
READ ALSO: Video: Fubara Unable To Re-present 2025 Budget As Rivers Assembly Locks Him Out
In response, Fubara committed to obeying the Supreme Court’s verdict in an effort to resolve the state’s political impasse.
In trying to initiate the process to comply with the apex court ruling, the governor invited the legislators to a meeting, but they declined, accusing him of violating due process.
Days later, the governor wrote back to the assembly, requesting a new date to present the 2025 appropriation bill.
About 24 hours following the governor’s letter, the assembly adjourned plenary indefinitely.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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