Four Rivers Lawmakers Make U-Turn, Renew Support for Fubara’s Impeachment
Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have reversed their earlier position and reaffirmed support for the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, deepening the political crisis in the oil-rich state.
The lawmakers had earlier distanced themselves from the impeachment move and called for dialogue to resolve the standoff between the executive and the legislature.
However, speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday, they announced a U-turn, urging the Assembly to proceed with the impeachment process without further delay.
The renewed backing strengthens the position of the Assembly leadership, which has maintained that impeachment remains the only constitutional solution to what it describes as alleged acts of gross misconduct by the governor. The House has accused Governor Fubara of undermining legislative authority and breaching constitutional provisions, allegations the governor has consistently denied.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule and his allies insist the process is being carried out within the law and should not be politicised. They argue that halting the impeachment would amount to abandoning the legislature’s oversight responsibilities.
The development comes amid uncertainty over the Assembly’s timetable, after lawmakers failed to reconvene plenary as earlier scheduled following the issuance of impeachment notices. Political observers say the lawmakers’ reversal could give fresh momentum to the stalled process.
Meanwhile, reactions remain sharply divided across Rivers State. While some civil society groups and political stakeholders have called for restraint and mediation to avoid instability, others have backed the Assembly’s stance, insisting that constitutional procedures must run their course.
As tensions persist, the renewed push by the four lawmakers signals that the impeachment battle is far from over, with significant implications for governance and political stability in Rivers State.
