Rivers Power Shift, Four Lawmakers Join Fubara Impeachment
Rivers Power Shift, Four Lawmakers Join Fubara Impeachment. The political landscape in Rivers State has been rocked by a major Fubara impeachment factions as four prominent members of the House of Assembly officially retracted their calls for a peaceful resolution. In a dramatic shift on Friday, January 16, 2026, the lawmakers, who had earlier advocated for a “political solution” to the standoff between the executive and the legislature, recommitted themselves to the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
This reversal has effectively reignited the momentum of the impeachment process, which had briefly appeared to be stalling.
The lawmakers leading this about face include the House Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside Peter Abbey, Barile Nwakoh, and Emilia Amadi. In a live broadcast conducted from the entrance of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, Nwankwo explained that their initial plea for dialogue was met with hostility rather than cooperation.
He alleged that while they were seeking an amicable way forward, the Governor and his deputy reportedly deployed media aides and “online boys” to launch sustained attacks against the integrity of the Assembly. According to the Minority Leader, this perceived lack of remorse and the continued disparagement of the legislative arm left them with no choice but to push for the constitutional process to continue.
This development follows a week of intense political maneuvering. On Monday and Wednesday, these same four legislators had publicly distanced themselves from the hardline stance of the Speaker Martin Amaewhule led faction, citing a desire for state stability and de-escalation. Their sudden return to the fold now bolsters the ranks of the 26 members who originally signed the notice of gross misconduct against the Governor.
The allegations against Fubara remain centered on several high stakes issues, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra budgetary spending, and the alleged withholding of statutory funds from the Assembly Service Commission.
The timing of this U-turn is particularly critical as it coincides with fresh attempts by regional groups like the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to mediate the crisis. While traditional rulers and elders have been working behind the scenes to broker a truce, the uncompromising stance of the legislature suggests that the “fresh war” declared by political stakeholders is far from over.
The Assembly has already resolved to decline actions on the 2026 Appropriation Bill and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) until the probe into the Governor’s conduct is concluded, effectively placing the state’s governance on a knife edge.
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As Port Harcourt remains on high alert, the question remains whether a legal or diplomatic intervention can halt the proceedings before they reach a final vote. For now, the renewed unity within the pro-impeachment camp signals a turbulent path ahead for the Fubara administration. With the “U-turn” now official, the political stability of Nigeria’s oil rich capital hangs precariously on the next move within the hallowed chambers of the State Assembly.