Two lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to exercise restraint over the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Nma Odu.

At a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside the lawmaker representing Degema Constituency, Mr. Peter Abbey, said the appeal followed interventions by leaders, residents, and constituents across the state, urging that the impeachment process be suspended.

“Rivers State has issued a notice of impeachment on Governor Fubara and his deputy. We appeal to our fellow colleagues to temper justice with mercy and see how we can resolve this matter without resorting to impeachment proceedings,” Mr. Nwankwo said.

He added that sustained appeals from elders and political leaders, both within and outside Rivers State, informed their position.

“Having listened to so many calls from our elders and leaders, we are begging our colleagues to reconsider our steps and see how this matter can be resolved amicably, even though the governor and his deputy have infringed on the Constitution,” he said.

Last Thursday, Governor Fubara and Prof. Odu were reportedly served with a notice of impeachment over alleged gross misconduct.

The Majority Leader, Mr. Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, detailing multiple allegations of gross misconduct against the governor. These include alleged extra-budgetary expenditure of more than N800bn without legislative approval, withholding of funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.

A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor, who was accused of conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.

The Speaker, Mr. Amaewhule, announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with constitutional provisions.

However, Governor Fubara has said he is yet to receive any formal impeachment notice from the lawmakers.

The latest development marks a renewed escalation in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, which stems from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted following presidential interventions, before President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state last March.