The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Thursday as members of the State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct.

During a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice of allegations against the governor. The move was anchored on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the procedure for the removal of a governor.

Jack listed seven allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, the alleged withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature. A total of 26 lawmakers signed the notice.

“I will ensure that this letter is forwarded to His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, within seven days,” Amaewhule said after the notice was presented.

Shortly after, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, also presented a separate notice of allegations against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. The accusations against her include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House from carrying out its constitutional duties, and allegedly facilitating the occupation of offices by unauthorised persons without screening by the legitimate Assembly.

Other claims include allegedly seeking budgetary approval from a group other than the recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, and the seizure of salaries and allowances due to the lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.

This latest move marks the second attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach Fubara and Odu, following a similar effort in March 2025. At the time, 26 lawmakers accused the duo of gross misconduct amid a political fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The prolonged political standoff in the oil-rich state previously prompted President Bola Tinubu to intervene, culminating in the declaration of a state of emergency to restore stability.