Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have accused individuals linked to the state’s executive of attempting to secure a court order to stop the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties.
The allegation came in a statement on Sunday from Dr. Enemi George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints. He claimed that efforts were underway to obtain ex parte orders from Rivers State High Courts outside Port Harcourt to block impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Last Thursday, Speaker Martins Amaewhule announced the commencement of impeachment proceedings after 26 lawmakers signed notices of gross misconduct against the governor. Allegations included extra-budgetary spending of over ₦800bn without approval, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and disregard for Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy. A separate notice was also issued against the deputy governor.
George insisted such attempts to stop the process were unconstitutional, citing Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution, which bar courts from interfering in impeachment proceedings. “All that is required is for the office holders served with notices to respond item by item, rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law,” he said.
The impeachment move marks the third attempt against Fubara in less than three years, following earlier efforts in 2023 and 2025 that were halted by presidential intervention. The crisis stems from a prolonged fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Meanwhile, Wike concluded his tour of Rivers’ 23 local government areas with a rally in Obio/Akpor, where he described politics as a contest of interests, not sentiment. “Power is not dashed; we struggle for it… Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement,” he told supporters, stressing the council’s influence in state politics.
Speculation also grew over another possible intervention by President Bola Tinubu, with reports that both Wike and Fubara may be invited to Abuja for talks. On Sunday, Wike returned to the capital, with aides saying he was expected to receive the President upon his arrival from abroad.
