The political drama in Rivers State just took another dramatic turn. On January 16, 2026, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly made it crystal clear: they're not backing down. In a unanimous show of resolve, the lawmakers vowed to push forward with impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, despite earlier signs of hesitation and calls for peace.
This latest development comes hot on the heels of a chaotic week. Just days ago, the House had adjourned after serving an initial notice of alleged gross misconduct on January 8, 2026. Many expected the process to stall when the Assembly surprisingly failed to reconvene on January 15 as scheduled. But in a stunning reversal, pro-impeachment forces regrouped, with even four lawmakers who had publicly called for reconciliation doing a quick U-turn and reaffirming their support for the probe.What Sparked This Renewed Push?The core accusations revolve around claims of gross misconduct, including:
- Alleged extra-budgetary spending without proper legislative approval
- Failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill (with lawmakers pointing out that Rivers is reportedly the only state yet to do so nationwide)
- Disregard for constitutional provisions and previous court judgments
The Assembly has also barred Governor Fubara from presenting the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework or the 2026 budget until the allegations are fully investigated.The Bigger Picture: A Long-Running Power StruggleThis marks the third major impeachment attempt against Fubara since he took office in 2023. The ongoing rift traces back to his fallout with his predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister). What started as a disagreement over control of political structures has escalated into repeated legislative-executive clashes, including a previous state of emergency in 2025.
Public reactions are mixed. Some groups, including factions of the APC (which Fubara recently joined), have condemned the move as politically motivated and a threat to governance. Others worry that prolonged instability could disrupt essential services in this oil-rich state. Meanwhile, social media is buzzing with opinions—many users are calling it "another chapter in the endless Wike-Fubara saga," with some joking that Rivers politics needs its own reality TV show.
One X post summed it up perfectly: "The four lawmakers who wanted peace yesterday now want impeachment today? This Rivers script keeps twisting!"
Governor Fubara has so far remained relatively calm in public, appealing for peace and focusing on governance, though he is expected to respond formally to the allegations soon.What's Next?With the Assembly now formally requesting a probe panel, all eyes are on the Chief Judge's office and whether the process can muster the required two-thirds majority without further defections. In the meantime, Rivers residents and indeed many Nigerians are left wondering: Can this crisis finally find a peaceful resolution, or are we heading toward more uncertainty in one of the country's most strategic states?
The stakes couldn't be higher as 2027 elections loom on the horizon. One thing is certain this political showdown in Rivers is far from over.
What do you think? Is this a legitimate constitutional process or just more political games? Drop your thoughts in the comments below we'd love to hear from you!
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. Rivers politics never disappoints in delivering twists!