The Rivers State House of Assembly has shown no sign of backing down on its plan to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over allegations of “gross misconduct” leveled against them by 26 lawmakers in the 32-member Assembly.
This followed the refusal of the lawmakers to grant audience to a seven-member peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) and led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
The PANDEF committee, which arrived in Port Harcourt last Saturday, held what were described as “successful” meetings with the Rivers State Leaders/Elders Forum, chaired by former Governor Chief Rufus Ada George, and the Rivers State Elders Council, led by Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, a known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
However, efforts by the committee to meet with the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, were unsuccessful. A source present at one of the meetings said repeated calls to the Speaker went unanswered, even after attempts were made through Chief Anabraba.
“The committee made frantic efforts to reach the Speaker, Amaewhule, but he did not pick their calls. These are eminent and very busy individuals. After waiting, they had to leave and promised to make further attempts later,” the source said.
The development has heightened concerns that the lawmakers are not inclined toward reconciliation but are determined to proceed with the impeachment process. PANDEF had earlier been given two weeks to reconcile the parties and submit its report.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has adjourned plenary to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, raising apprehension that impeachment proceedings may commence. The lawmakers had earlier written to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, requesting the constitution of a seven-man investigative panel to probe the allegations against the governor.
The Agabi-led committee had previously met with Minister Nyesom Wike last Thursday and held separate meetings with Governor Fubara on Friday, as well as with Chief Anabraba.
However, a credible source disclosed that it is unlikely the Chief Judge would comply with the Assembly’s request, citing a subsisting court order restraining him from taking such action.
“The Chief Judge has been mentioned in the court order and cannot act contrary to it. If not for the court order, he would have had no option but to set up the panel,” the source said, adding that the lawmakers may approach the Court of Appeal.
The political tension continues to escalate as uncertainty surrounds the next steps in the impeachment process.
