If Fubara Gets Impeached What’s Next For Rivers State?

The Rivers State government has played down the impeachment attempt against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, asserting that no formal communication has been received from the state House of Assembly regarding allegations of gross misconduct.

The assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and comprising 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, issued a notice on March 14 2025, outlining allegations against Fubara and Odu. The letter, signed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor, including spending public funds contrary to sections 120, 121 and 122 of the constitution, obstructing the assembly, and making appointments without legislative approval, among other allegations.

On Monday, Speaker Amaewhule confirmed the formal transmission of the notice to the governor and his deputy, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires that impeachment allegations be signed by at least one-third of house members. He also directed the governor and his deputy to respond to the allegations within 14 days.

However, The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barrister Joseph Johnson, rejected the move, asserting that the letter was not addressed to the governor.

Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, Johnson criticized the assembly for hindering Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the state’s ongoing political crisis.

He further remarked that the assembly’s actions were exacerbating the hardship faced by civil servants and pensioners due to the withholding of state allocations.

Johnson pointed out that Fubara had shown his commitment to respecting the court’s decision by instructing local government chairmen to hand over to their administrative heads. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also scheduled new elections for August 9, 2025, in line with the ruling.

Reports indicate that this is the second attempt to impeach Governor Fubara. The first attempt occurred on October 30, 2023, when 24 members of the assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor, leading to significant unrest, including the burning of parts of the assembly complex and its eventual demolition. During this time, Governor Fubara claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt involving police gunfire.

In a related development, the assembly has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, over accusations of extra-budgetary spending. The lawmakers also called on the EFCC to probe financial misconduct allegedly linked to Danagogo.

This move follows allegations from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who accused the SSG of instigating the state’s political turmoil, including securing a court order barring Fubara from recognizing the 27 lawmakers.

Lawyers Reactions To The Impeachment Process

In response to the impeachment attempt, Abeni Mohammed (SAN) emphasized that removing a governor and deputy must follow a strict constitutional process.

“They must go through the state’s Chief Judge, who will set up a panel to determine whether the allegations constitute an impeachable offense. The findings will then be returned to the Assembly before proceedings can commence,” he explained.

Mohammed added that Governor Fubara is unlikely to remain passive, given that the lawmakers have also violated the constitution by refusing to sit and adjourning indefinitely.

“The governor can challenge them in court to restrain any impeachment proceedings. Impeachment is a legal matter, and lawmakers must ensure they have not committed constitutional violations themselves. Let them serve the notice, and I am sure the governor’s lawyers know how to respond,” he said.

He also criticized the Supreme Court for intervening in a matter before the High Court, especially regarding the status of the 27 defected lawmakers.

“The apex court had no reason to make pronouncements on whether the lawmakers had vacated their seats, as the matter was not before them. Their ruling emboldened the lawmakers, who themselves violated the constitution by defecting. Where and when did they sit to issue directives after indefinitely adjourning? They are playing politics at the expense of Rivers people,” he stated.

Similarly, Taiye Oniyide (SAN) urged caution, stressing that both sides must prioritize the state’s interests over personal conflicts.

“This crisis has become unnecessarily personal. The power to impeach lies with the house, but this feud did not begin today. The entire nation is watching, and reasonable voices are urging caution,” he remarked.

Oniyide further alleged that former Governor Nyesom Wike had tacitly endorsed the impeachment attempt through his recent comments.

“This is pure political vendetta. Unfortunately, the people of Rivers suffer the most, as critical development is stalled. Governance should not be driven by bitterness,” he said.

What’s Next For Rivers State If Fubara Gets Impeached?

Several potential consequences could follow, If Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were to be impeached;

Leadership Transition: An impeachment would trigger the succession process outlined by the state constitution. The Deputy Governor, in this case, would likely assume the role of Acting Governor. If the Deputy Governor is also unavailable or incapable of taking over, a new election may be called to elect a new governor.

However, The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has said that if Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers is impeached, another Ijaw candidate must succeed him.

The group’s Director General, Johnson Georgewill, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday that the arrangement would ensure that the Ijaw people completed their tenure.

He stated that replacing Fubara with another Ijaw governor would ensure equity and fairness for the Ijaw people.
Mr Georgewill noted that the RRM, a political interest group loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had worked tirelessly to ensure an Ijaw candidate emerged as governor in 2023.

Impact on Governance: Fubara’s removal could disrupt the governance and implementation of policies in Rivers State. Ongoing projects or initiatives may experience delays, and the new leadership may alter the direction of governance, which could have significant consequences on the state’s development plans.

Legal Challenges: An impeachment could lead to legal battles if Fubara and his supporters contest the process. This could tie up resources and create a prolonged period of legal uncertainty, affecting the state’s functioning. It may create divisions within the state’s political parties, possibly leading to protests or public unrest, depending on the political landscape and public sentiment toward Fubara.

The Supreme Council for Sim Worldwide, a group supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara, issued a warning against any attempt to impeach the Rivers State governor, stating that such an action could lead to widespread unrest.

During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday,11th March 2025, the group’s leader, Esezi Obilor Rukani, urged the 27 lawmakers advocating for Fubara’s removal to rethink their decision, emphasizing that the people of Rivers State would strongly oppose any effort to remove him.

He remarked, “We all know the process of impeachment. Before it even starts, the state will boil because the governor is a man of the masses. The governor might not do anything, but the masses have something to do because they voted for the lawmakers, and they will have something to tell them.”

Economic Consequences: The business environment and investor confidence could be affected by the political turmoil surrounding an impeachment. Businesses may hold off on investments, and the state could face challenges in economic planning if there is uncertainty about the leadership.

Tension is rising in Rivers State, with many residents concerned that a crisis could break out at any moment.

Matthew Ahanna, a resident of Port Harcourt, shared, “We are being cautious and careful to avoid being victims. Parents are glued to their radios. Someone told me he will no longer send his wards to school when the crisis is over.”

Workers in the oil industry and civil servants are also feeling uneasy, closely monitoring the developing situation.

The ultimate fate of Rivers State would depend on how the impeachment process unfolds, the handling of the transition, and how effectively the new leadership can navigate the political and governance challenges that arise.