Political tensions in Rivers State escalated again as the House of Assembly dismissed allegations that the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara are being steered by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Enemi George, the spokesperson for the Assembly, addressed the matter during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
He stressed that lawmakers are strictly following constitutional procedures and are not acting on instructions from any political figure.
Lawmakers Insist Politics Shouldn’t Interfere With Constitutional Duties
When asked if Wike had any hand in the impeachment process, George warned against mixing politics with constitutional responsibilities.
He described the notion that an individual could dictate the House’s actions as “unfair and demeaning” to the legislature.
“This is like pouring oil into water—they just don’t mix unless boiled.
The FCT minister is a politician, and if we start combining politics with constitutional matters, it could lead to trouble,” George said.
“I am not a party chief, but a spokesperson for the Rivers State House of Assembly.
While I am politically aligned with the FCT minister, it is insulting to reduce the activities of a constitutionally established institution to mere politics or the influence of one person.”
No Political Intervention Will Halt Impeachment
George also addressed whether any political maneuver could halt the impeachment process, making it clear that lawmakers are focused on due process and legal accountability.
“So I very sincerely doubt it, because we’ve seen enough political solutions before. It diminishes the House if everything is assumed to be political. Right now, we are talking about the law,” he said.
“Even if politics were considered, the law is clear: repeated breaches of the Constitution cannot be fixed politically.
The governor is a recidivist—someone who repeats the same offence after being punished or forgiven. There’s simply no need for a political solution here.”
Impeachment Proceedings Commence
The statements came shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly, under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, officially launched impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, during Thursday’s plenary session.
Majority Leader Major Jack presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, listing several allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The charges include unauthorized extra-budgetary spending exceeding N800 billion, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolishing the Assembly complex, and defying Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice also targeted the deputy governor for allegedly participating in unconstitutional financial activities.
Speaker Amaewhule confirmed that the notices would be formally served on both officials within seven days, in compliance with constitutional provisions.
Political Fallout and Party Reactions
This development adds a new chapter to the ongoing political conflict in Rivers State, which stems from tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Previous attempts to remove Fubara in 2023 and 2025 were stopped by presidential interventions, including the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—the party of both Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers—has condemned the impeachment move.
The party described it as “untenable” and warned that it could trigger political instability in the state.
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