In a dramatic shift on Friday, January 16, 2026, four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly officially rescinded their earlier calls for a political solution and reaffirmed their support for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers—Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey, Barile Nwakoh, and Emilia Amadi—had previously advocated for restraint and dialogue following interventions by traditional rulers and elder statesmen. However, during a press conference in Port Harcourt, they declared that the governor’s “adamant” refusal to govern according to the constitution left them with no choice but to resume the removal process.
The lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of utilizing “media boys” and aides to ridicule the assembly instead of seeking the amicable settlement they had initially offered. Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing the Omuma constituency, stated that the governor and deputy were attempting to “intimidate” the legislature into withdrawing the impeachment notice for a third time. He emphasized that the reversal was necessary because the executive had shown “no remorse” regarding the allegations of gross misconduct, which include the unauthorized spending of public funds and the 2023 demolition of the assembly complex.
Following the press briefing, the assembly reconvened and unanimously voted to petition the Chief Judge of Rivers State to constitute a seven-person panel to investigate the allegations. Speaker Martin Amaewhule formally signed the request, insisting that the process is strictly a constitutional matter and not an ethnic or personal feud. This move significantly ramps up the pressure on the Fubara administration, as the appointment of an investigative panel is a critical legal step toward a final impeachment vote.
