\u2022 Elders, rights group warn against impeachment move
\u2022 Wike plays down sack talk, reaffirms support for Tinubu\n<\/p>\n
Rivers State\u2019s political crisis entered a new phase yesterday as the House of Assembly alleged moves to derail impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara through restraining <\/a>orders from courts outside Port Harcourt.\n<\/p>\n In a statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George, the Assembly said it had received \u201ccredible information\u201d on the alleged moves.\n<\/p>\n The allegation comes amid an escalating political crisis in the state.\n<\/p>\n Last Thursday, the House, through a motion sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, resolved to commence an investigation into the financial and administrative activities of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.<\/p>\n At the centre of the allegations against the governor is the alleged failure to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework as required by law, as well as claims of spending public funds without legislative appropriation.\n<\/p>\n Lawmakers argued that the alleged actions amounted to grave violations of constitutional provisions and undermined the authority of the legislature.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, said due process would be followed and that the law would be allowed to take its full course, adding that the impeachment proceedings would be pursued to their logical conclusion.\n<\/p>\n Shortly after the sitting, an impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, circulated widely on social media. The House later confirmed that impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy were ongoing, with official notices of allegations of gross misconduct formally forwarded to both officials.\n<\/p>\n In a statement dated January 9, 2026, and signed by George, the Assembly said the process was \u201cfully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy Governor have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, while we await their responses,\u201d the statement said.\n<\/p>\n Fubara appeals for calm The governor made the appeal during a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, assuring the congregation that \u201ceverything will be fine.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Fubara said his decision to remain silent in the face of what he described as distractions was deliberate, adding that he draws strength from his faith in God.\n<\/p>\n He spoke briefly before inviting his deputy, Ngozi Odu, who had earlier read the first lesson at the service, to address the congregation.<\/p>\n In her remarks, the deputy governor thanked worshippers for attending the service and urged them to maintain good conduct, in line with the admonition of the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda, who stressed in his sermon that every action would be remembered. <\/p>\n Odu also appealed to residents to continue to uphold the administration in prayer, describing such support as the pillar sustaining the government.\n<\/p>\n Elders, rights group fault impeachment move in Rivers
MEANWHILE, Governor Siminalayi Fubara called for calm among residents amid the ongoing impeachment process initiated by the House of Assembly.\n<\/p>\n
ALSO, the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum described impeachment as a grave constitutional process that should not be used as an instrument of political vendetta or factional battles.\n<\/p>\n