By Ayomide Otitoju
The Rivers State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara are influenced by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Assembly spokesperson Enemi George, speaking on Thursday, said lawmakers are acting strictly within constitutional provisions and not under the direction of any political figure.
Responding to questions about Wike’s involvement, George warned that mixing politics with constitutional duties would be dangerous. “The FCT minister is a politician. If we begin to mix politics and constitutional matters, we will begin to cause trouble,” he said. George described suggestions that the legislature is acting at Wike’s behest as unfair and demeaning, adding that the House should not be reduced to the influence of any individual.
He maintained that the impeachment process is not politically motivated but stems from alleged breaches of constitutional provisions by the governor. George also dismissed claims of budget padding and obstruction of legislative duties as unfounded.
The impeachment proceedings, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, began on Thursday with Majority Leader Major Jack reading a notice of allegations against Governor Fubara under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. The notice listed seven charges, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. Amaewhule said the governor would be formally notified within the constitutionally stipulated timeframe.
In a separate notice, Deputy Leader Linda Stewart presented allegations against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, including reckless spending, obstruction of legislative activities, and approval of budgets outside the recognised Assembly.
This marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu in less than a year, following a similar move in March 2025 triggered by tensions between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to the proceedings, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the impeachment as “destabilising and unnecessary.” In a statement signed by party spokesperson Darlington Nwauju, the APC acknowledged the constitutional independence of the legislature but warned against actions that could plunge the state into political turmoil.
The party also dismissed claims linking the impeachment to budgetary issues, noting that a ₦1.485 trillion budget approved by the National Assembly during the emergency rule period is valid until August 2026. The APC urged the Assembly to halt the process, warning that continuing the proceedings could damage the party’s image and stall development in the state.
