January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — A senior lawmaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly has categorically dismissed assertions that the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara are being orchestrated or influenced by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Enemi George, spokesperson for the Rivers State House of Assembly, made the remarks in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, stating that the impeachment process is being conducted strictly within the parameters of the Constitution and not at the behest of any political figure. He described claims linking the proceedings to Wike as “unfair and demeaning” to the legislative institution.
“We must not confuse constitutional responsibilities with political manoeuvring,” George said, underscoring the assembly’s commitment to legal due process. “Mixing politics with constitutional matters would be dangerous and diminishes the legislature’s role.
George acknowledged his own political alignment with the FCT minister but emphasised that personal affiliations do not translate into institutional influence over the impeachment proceedings. “It is insulting to reduce the activities of an institution created by the Constitution to just politics or an individual,” he said.
The impeachment move against Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, formally commenced during a plenary session led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented notice of allegations signed by 26 lawmakers that cite multiple instances of alleged gross misconduct by the governor, including extra-budgetary spending of over ₦800 billion without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and disobedience of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice of allegations against the deputy governor was also read, accusing her of unconstitutional expenditures and obstructing legislative duties. Amaewhule announced lawmakers will serve the impeachment notices on both officeholders within seven days, in line with constitutional requirements.
Despite the denials from Assembly representatives, the impeachment proceedings have sparked intense political debate and responses from across the state. A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the impeachment move, warning of potential destabilisation and urging lawmakers to resist external pressures, while other civil society organisations have called on national leaders to intervene and uphold constitutional order.
The development marks another chapter in Rivers State’s protracted political conflict, which has previously seen emergency rule and reconciliation efforts between Fubara and Wike, brokered by national authorities.