The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum (RELEF) has issued a stern warning to the Rivers State House of Assembly, cautioning that the renewed push to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu threatens to plunge the state into fresh turmoil. The intervention by the elder statesmen follows the formal service of impeachment notices to the state's top executives earlier this week.
In a strong-worded statement released on Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Forum’s Acting Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Dr Gabriel Toby, characterised the allegations levelled by the lawmakers as "disturbingly weak" and "devoid of constitutional weight." The elders argued that the legislative move appears to be an instrument of "political vendetta and factional rivalry" rather than a sincere pursuit of accountability or good governance.
The current crisis escalated on Thursday when 26 members of the House, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, signed a notice of gross misconduct against the Governor. The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly Complex, unauthorised extra-budgetary spending, and a refusal to implement a Supreme Court ruling regarding the financial autonomy of the legislature. Deputy Governor Odu faces similar charges of unconstitutional spending and obstructing legislative duties.
Warning against the destabilisation of the state, Dr Toby noted that Rivers is still recovering from the social and institutional disruptions of a six-month state of emergency that ended in September 2025. He emphasised that the Governor’s mandate was "freely given by the electorate" and should only be challenged on "compelling and verifiable grounds." The elders urged the lawmakers to retrace their steps and prioritise the collective peace and progress of the state over narrow personal interests.
The political atmosphere in Port Harcourt remains charged as the Assembly confirmed on Friday that the impeachment process is "fully on course". House Committee Chairman on Information, Enemi Alabo George, dismissed rumours of a withdrawal, stating that the Speaker is awaiting formal responses from the Governor and Deputy Governor within the constitutionally mandated seven-day window.
As tensions mount, there are indications of high-level efforts to stave off a full-blown constitutional crisis. Reports suggest that President Bola Tinubu has again intervened, reportedly summoning the warring parties for a reconciliation meeting in France.
