Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have reversed their earlier stance and thrown their support behind the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, deepening the political crisis in the state.
The lawmakers made their position known during a press conference on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital. In a video posted on X, they said their decision followed what they described as the governor’s failure to show remorse or adequately address the allegations raised against him by the Assembly.
According to the legislators, recent developments and the governor’s conduct since the allegations surfaced convinced them to align with their colleagues pushing for impeachment. They argued that the issues at stake go beyond political differences and touch on accountability and respect for the legislature.
“After careful consideration, we believe the governor has not demonstrated the willingness to take responsibility or engage constructively with the House over the allegations before him,” one of the lawmakers said at the briefing.
The reversal by the four legislators is seen as a significant boost to the impeachment camp, potentially strengthening the numbers required to move the process forward. Their support comes amid heightened tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
The Assembly has accused Governor Fubara of actions it claims amount to misconduct, although the governor and his allies have consistently dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. The deputy governor, Ngozi Odu, is also facing impeachment alongside the governor.
The situation has continued to draw national attention, with concerns about its implications for governance and political stability in Rivers State.