The political crisis in Rivers State took a new turn on Thursday, January 15, 2026, as the State House of Assembly failed to reconvene at the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. This failure to sit has effectively stalled the impeachment process, raising fresh questions about the next phase of the prolonged political standoff in the oil-rich state.
Assembly Gates Shut as Ultimatum Expires
The scheduled sitting did not hold, with the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt remaining quiet. Checks by our correspondent revealed that the gates were shut, with security personnel stationed at the entrance. The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, had earlier informed journalists that the House would not be sitting on that day.
This development marks a significant twist in the face-off between the legislative arm, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and the executive. The House had, at its plenary on Thursday, January 8, 2026, served a notice of alleged gross misconduct on the governor and his deputy. The accusations included the demolition of the Assembly complex and unauthorized expenditure, among others. Invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, the lawmakers then adjourned to January 15 to consider the matter further.
Internal Divisions and External Pressure
The failure to reconvene came amid heightened public anticipation and followed a week of intense political maneuvering. Four members of the House—Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma), Peter Abbey (Degema), Barile Nwakoh (Khana I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor II)—had publicly appealed to their colleagues to suspend the impeachment proceedings. They called for deep reflection, extensive consultation, and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
According to the lawmakers, their appeal was influenced by interventions from respected elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State, who urged restraint, dialogue, and reconciliation. Sources indicate that President Bola Tinubu and other top political leaders in Abuja were displeased with the impeachment move, a sentiment believed to have significantly influenced the unfolding events.
Throughout the turmoil, Governor Fubara has appeared unperturbed, continuing with his official duties while deliberately avoiding any public commentary on the political impasse.
PDP Factional Crisis Spills into Court
In a related development, the political crisis has recorded its first formal court case. Three stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State have dragged the party's factional Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the PDP, and the state government to the High Court.
The claimants—Enyi Uchechukwu, Wisdom Kalio, and Uche Amadi—are challenging the nomination of PDP candidates for the local council elections held on August 30, 2025. In an originating summons, they asked the court to determine whether Chukwuemeka, whose election congress had been nullified by a subsisting court judgment, could validly submit a candidate list to RSIEC.
They are seeking clarity on whether the PDP presented a valid list of candidates, which included chairmen, deputies, and councillors for the elections where the party won three significant councils: Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Port Harcourt City, and Obio-Akpor.
The stalling of the impeachment process and the new legal challenge underscore the deep and multi-faceted nature of the political crisis in Rivers State, with both internal party disputes and executive-legislative conflicts converging to shape the state's uncertain political future.
