The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The decision was taken at Thursday’s plenary, as the process became mired in legal and political complications, effectively stalling further action pending the resolution of ongoing court cases and consultations.

Lawmakers had, in January, initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.

During a sitting presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Major Jack presented a notice outlining seven allegations against Fubara under Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The accusations included the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditure, the withholding of funds due to the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on the legislature’s financial autonomy.

Twenty-six lawmakers signed the notice, which was to be forwarded to the governor. Deputy Leader Linda Stewart also tabled allegations against Odu, accusing her of unconstitutional spending, obstructing the Assembly’s work, approving budgets through unauthorised channels, and withholding salaries and allowances.

However, the impeachment effort, which began in early January 2026, soon ran into judicial hurdles.

The Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, declined the Assembly’s request to constitute the constitutionally mandated seven-member investigative panel, citing a subsisting interim injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court.

The restraining order, granted on January 16, 2026, by Justice Florence A. Fiberesima, barred the Chief Judge, the Speaker, and the Clerk from taking further steps in the impeachment process, following suits filed by the governor and his deputy challenging its legality.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress rejected the impeachment move, describing it as “destabilising and unnecessary”. The development also attracted reactions from various political quarters and members of the public.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu reportedly held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa with Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the governor’s political benefactor. Fubara was also said to have accompanied Wike to his residence in Guzape, Abuja.

Wike later confirmed the meeting, stating that it was initiated by the President as part of renewed efforts to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.

According to him, the meeting took place on Monday, February 9, with the President stepping in to broker peace between the governor and members of the Assembly.

Expressing appreciation for Tinubu’s intervention, Wike voiced optimism that the initiative would bring lasting stability. He noted that it was the second time the President had intervened in the dispute and expressed hope “it would be the last”.

The talks followed shortly after a third impeachment notice was issued against Fubara by lawmakers believed to be loyal to Wike.

The crisis has revived long-standing political tensions in the state.

This marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu. A similar move in March 2025, triggered by a rift between the governor and his predecessor, Wike, escalated into a major political crisis.

At the height of that standoff, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended the governor, deputy governor, and lawmakers for six months, and appointed Ibokette Ibas as sole administrator.

Fubara later returned to office following a political reconciliation involving himself, Wike, and legislators.

The political landscape shifted again in December when Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform on which he was elected in 2023, to the ruling party.