The Rivers State House of Assembly says no political intervention can stop the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Recall that The Witness reported that lawmakers began the impeachment process on Thursday over allegations of “gross misconduct” against the governor and his deputy.
Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the assembly, accused Fubara and his deputy of actions he said pose a threat to democratic governance in the state.
Amaewhule also alleged that the governor “deliberately refused” to present the state budget in accordance with constitutional requirements.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Enemi George, spokesperson of the assembly, said legislators were resolved to complete the process.
George rejected claims that the impeachment was politically driven, saying the assembly was guided strictly by the law.
“Very sincerely, I doubt that because we’ve had one too many political solutions… It demeans, diminishes the institution of the Rivers House of Assembly if you say that everything that we do is because of politics… Right now, what we’re talking about is the law,” he said.
George described Fubara as a “recidivist”, alleging that the governor repeatedly breached the law despite earlier interventions.
“A recidivist is somebody who commits the same crime over and over again… So what’s the need for a political solution?” he asked.
He further accused the governor of mismanaging public funds and appointing family members to public offices without due process.
George also addressed reports of a N100,000 “Christmas gift” allegedly credited to lawmakers’ accounts on December 30, 2025.
“Within that principle, there is no constitutional provision for that… We rejected it because I don’t want to go to prison,” he said.
“These funds do not belong to my father, mother, or sister; they belong to the people of Rivers State.”
He said earlier reconciliation efforts led by Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria, failed because agreed terms were violated.
“You can’t keep breaking the law and expecting the president to come to your rescue,” George said.
The assembly had earlier issued a notice of allegations endorsed by 26 lawmakers.
The notice was read during plenary by Major Jack, majority leader of the assembly.
Amaewhule said the notice would be formally served on the governor within seven days.
The move marks the second attempt by the assembly to remove Fubara and his deputy after a similar effort failed in March 2025.
At the height of the crisis, rising tensions prompted Tinubu to mediate talks involving Fubara, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory, and the lawmakers.
The intervention resulted in an emergency rule that allowed the governor to stay out of office for six months.
