The third attempt to remove Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office hit a significant snag on Wednesday, as the legislative bloc pushing for his ouster began to fracture. Four lawmakers formally withdrew their support for the impeachment proceedings, citing urgent appeals for peace from national and regional stakeholders.
The move to impeach Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu was initiated on January 8, 2026, by a group of 26 lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The Assembly accused the executive of "gross misconduct", including the unauthorised expenditure of over ₦800 billion and the persistent failure to submit the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative scrutiny.
However, the momentum shifted midweek when Barile Nwakoh of Khana Constituency I and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II announced their departure from the impeachment plot. Their decision follows a similar move on Monday by Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo and Peter Abbey, who urged their colleagues to "sheathe their swords" and prioritise the stability of the state.
"Having listened to so many calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside the state, we are begging our colleagues to reconsider our steps," Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo said during a press briefing in Port Harcourt. While the defecting lawmakers acknowledged that constitutional "infractions" may have occurred, they maintained that dialogue is now the only viable path forward to avoid further political upheaval.
The House of Assembly is currently split between supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and those aligned with Governor Fubara. This rivalry has plagued the state since 2023, leading to a six-month state of emergency in 2025 and multiple failed reconciliation attempts brokered at the federal level.
Governor Fubara, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with several lawmakers, has remained publicly calm. During a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Governor assured residents that "everything will be fine," according to a report by The Guardian Nigeria.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has stepped in to mediate, inaugurating a high-level reconciliation committee chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN. The committee has been given a two-week window to resolve the standoff and prevent a total breakdown of order in the oil-rich state.
Despite the loss of four signatures, Speaker Amaewhule has insisted that the process remains "fully on course" in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. In a statement issued by the House Committee on Information, the Assembly emphasised its duty to "stop infractions on the Constitution" and hold the executive accountable for budgetary violations.
The loss of support poses a mathematical challenge for the pro-impeachment faction. Under Nigerian law, a two-thirds majority of the 32-member house—typically 22 lawmakers—is required to move the process to the investigative stage. With only 22 of the original 26 signatories remaining, the margin for error has narrowed to zero.
The Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to reconvene on Thursday, January 15, 2026. This session will likely determine if the leadership can maintain enough consensus to proceed or if the intervention by PANDEF and APC national leaders will force a formal suspension of the proceedings.
