In a dramatic political reversal, four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declared fresh backing for his impeachment. The lawmakers, who had previously appealed for peace, now accuse the governor and his deputy of failing to show remorse and continuing to attack the legislative arm.
Lawmakers Cite Governor's 'Lack of Remorse' for U-Turn
The four legislators made their new position public during a press conference held in Port Harcourt on Friday, January 16, 2026. The group includes the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma State Constituency); Peter Abbey (Degema); Barile Nwakoh (Khana I); and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor II).
Explaining their sudden change of heart, Nwankwo stated that their earlier appeal for a political solution, made on January 12, was met with defiance. He alleged that instead of engaging in dialogue, Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu deployed their media aides to persistently attack the State Assembly.
"During this period, we discovered that the governor and deputy governor had engaged their media aides to continue attacking the Rivers State House of Assembly, rather than seeking the political solution we proposed," Nwankwo said. This development, he claimed, compelled them to withdraw their peace appeal and support the continuation of the impeachment process.
Constitutional Infractions and Intimidation Allegations
Adding to the accusations, Deputy Minority Leader Barile Nwakoh claimed the executive arm was unwilling to govern within constitutional bounds. She accused Fubara and Odu of attempting to intimidate lawmakers into abandoning the impeachment move for a third time while allegedly continuing their violations.
"They are adamant. We are now convinced that their strategy is to intimidate us into withdrawing the impeachment process... while they continue their infractions on the Constitution and the law," Nwakoh asserted. She emphasized that the Assembly would not allow the executive to undermine its oversight duties, actions she described as harmful to the state's democracy.
Lawmaker Emilia Amadi confirmed the group's official return to the impeachment fold, stating the decision followed careful consideration of the governor's disregard for reconciliation efforts.
Background: A Prolonged Feud and a Third Impeachment Move
This latest twist is part of the protracted political crisis rooted in the feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The majority of the Assembly members are believed to be loyal to Wike.
The House initiated a third impeachment process against Governor Fubara on January 8, shortly after Wike accused him of breaching a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025. The Assembly denied reports of discontinuing the process on January 10 and, a day later, claimed to have uncovered plans to use the courts to frustrate the impeachment.
This saga has seen several shifts. On January 12, Nwankwo and Abbey were among two lawmakers who initially backed out of the impeachment move, calling for a peaceful resolution. Their latest reversal, now joined by two colleagues, significantly alters the political calculus in Port Harcourt.
Despite the proceedings, a source indicates that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is yet to receive a formal impeachment notice. The situation remains fluid, with the stability of Rivers State government hanging in the balance as the power struggle between the camps of Fubara and Wike intensifies.
