The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday formally requested the Chief Judge of the state to initiate an investigation into Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct, as the political crisis in the state continues to deepen.
The resolution was reached during plenary, where 25 lawmakers voted in support of a motion to forward the matter to the Chief Judge in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The allegations against the governor and his deputy include alleged budget irregularities, failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, spending of public funds without legislative approval, and the alleged withholding of funds due to the House of Assembly, among other claims.
Presiding over the session, the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, directed the Clerk of the Assembly to immediately notify the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations.
The development represents the next procedural step in the impeachment process earlier initiated by the Assembly on January 8, when notices of allegations were formally served on Governor Fubara and his deputy.
Meanwhile, four lawmakers who had previously withdrawn their support for the impeachment proceedings reversed their decision, citing the governor’s alleged failure to address the issues raised by the House.
The Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma Constituency), and Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency) had earlier stepped back from the impeachment move and appealed to their colleagues to halt the process. They were later joined by the Deputy Minority Leader, Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II).
However, addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday, the four lawmakers said they had reconsidered their position, insisting that the governor had not shown sufficient reason for them to withdraw from the impeachment proceedings.
The request to the Chief Judge further escalates the power tussle between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, with political observers closely monitoring the unfolding events.
