Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have rescinded their earlier decision to withdraw from impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and have now openly thrown their weight behind the move to remove him from office.
The lawmakers — Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II) — announced their new position on Friday during a live broadcast from the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt.
Their decision marks a sharp turnaround from their stance earlier in the week, when they appealed for dialogue and political reconciliation to resolve the escalating crisis between the executive and the legislature in the state.
Explaining the reversal, Nwankwo said the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, failed to demonstrate commitment to peace, opting instead to fuel the crisis through public attacks on the Assembly.
“After our appeal for a political solution, we observed persistent media attacks against the House by individuals linked to the governor and his deputy,” Nwankwo said.
“Rather than embrace dialogue, they escalated hostilities. Based on this, we have resolved that the impeachment process should proceed.”
Nwakoh and Amadi also expressed similar sentiments, stating that their renewed support for the impeachment was informed by what they described as the executive’s lack of willingness to engage lawmakers constructively.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, where the Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings last week against both the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
Among the allegations are claims that the executive authorized the demolition of the Assembly complex and spent public funds without obtaining legislative approval.
The impeachment process had appeared uncertain earlier in the week after the four lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from it, raising speculation about possible divisions within the House.
That uncertainty was compounded when the Assembly failed to reconvene for plenary on Thursday, despite having adjourned its previous sitting a week earlier.
However, with the lawmakers’ renewed backing, members of the Assembly insist the impeachment process has regained momentum.
Lawmakers maintain that the procedure is lawful and represents the most viable path to resolving the political deadlock gripping the state.
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes remain on the Rivers State House of Assembly as the impeachment process moves forward.