Rivers Assembly Insists on Impeachment as Lawmakers Resume Plenary

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday reaffirmed its determination to continue impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, declaring that there would be no retreat from the process.

At a live press conference in Port Harcourt, the lawmakers accused the governor of blackmail and said he had lost the confidence needed to resolve the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

They alleged that Governor Fubara breached provisions of the 1999 Constitution, insisting that the Assembly was compelled to invoke its constitutional powers to remove him from office. The legislators also claimed that both the governor and his deputy intimidated members of the House in a bid to undermine its authority.

Despite their firm stance, the lawmakers commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening in the crisis, describing his efforts as a stabilising step.

They called on Speaker Martin Amaewhule to immediately reconvene plenary to allow the Assembly perform its legislative duties without obstruction.

In a notable shift, four lawmakers who had earlier called for political dialogue withdrew their support for negotiations and declared full backing for the impeachment process.

Shortly after the briefing, the legislators moved to the Assembly complex, where they commenced a parliamentary session, signalling a renewed push to conclude the impeachment exercise.