Four days after the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the governor has not yet been formally served with the impeachment notice, Assembly members and government sources confirmed.
Contrary to circulating reports that Fubara had been served, lawmakers said the formal notice remains undelivered because of his recent absence from the state.
A credible government source said Fubara was abroad on an official trip to Europe and only returned late Saturday night, attending Sunday services before travelling to Abuja, limiting opportunities for formal service. “It would have been impossible to serve the governor with the impeachment letter given that he has not been physically present in the state,” the source added.
The impeachment process began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when 26 lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, initiated proceedings alleging gross misconduct. The lawmakers cited actions including extra‑budgetary expenditure and alleged legislative obstruction as part of their grounds for removal.
Despite the commencement of the process, divisions have emerged within the Assembly. Two lawmakers, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo and Hon. Peter Abbey, have publicly withdrawn their support for the impeachment, urging colleagues to prioritise dialogue and de‑escalation to preserve peace and stability in Rivers State. They stressed that continued confrontation could worsen political tensions and undermine governance.
The Assembly has also expressed concern over alleged attempts by unnamed individuals to secure court orders from high courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division in a bid to halt the impeachment process.
The House Committee on Information stated such actions would be unlawful and undermine the legislature’s constitutional duties.
Rivers State political stakeholders remain sharply divided over the crisis. Some groups, including the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum, have condemned the impeachment as potentially harmful to democratic governance and urged restraint.
While others in the All-Progressives Congress (APC) have warned that impeachment moves could destabilise ongoing peace efforts and damage investor confidence in the state.
The situation follows earlier attempts to impeach Fubara in March 2025 and reflects a broader political rift linked to power dynamics within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its relationship with the APC and federal authorities.
The crisis has drawn national attention as interventions by stakeholders, including the Pan‑Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), seek to mediate and reduce tensions.
As of the latest reports, Governor Fubara has not issued a formal response to the impeachment proceedings, and legal and political disputes over the process’s legitimacy and direction are continuing.
The formal service of the impeachment notice, required by constitutional procedures, remains anticipated as political actors engage in negotiations and consultations.
