Rivers Speaker: Fubara Spends Funds Without Assembly’s Approval — ‘He’s a Threat to Democracy’
The political crisis in Rivers State has reached a boiling point as the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
In a plenary session held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Speaker accused the governor of gross misconduct, labeling his actions a threat to democracy.
The Assembly specifically alleged that Governor Fubara has been spending state funds without legislative approval and has persistently refused to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House.
The impeachment notice, which was signed by 26 lawmakers and read by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, detailed multiple counts of gross misconduct against the governor in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
The allegations include unilaterally authorizing expenditures from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund without the approval of the legislature, refusing to present the 2026 budget and the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and allegedly withholding statutory funds from the Assembly Service Commission.
Lawmakers also cited the demolition of the Assembly complex and the governor’s alleged refusal to comply with Supreme Court judgments regarding financial autonomy as further grounds for the proceedings.
Speaker Amaewhule condemned the governor’s attitude during the session, stating that Fubara has been boasting that he is above the constitution.
He described the governor and his deputy as a threat to democracy for moving about and spending taxpayers’ money without the necessary legislative approval.
A separate notice of gross misconduct was also presented against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, alleging reckless spending and obstruction of the House’s constitutional duties.
This development marks the second impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara in less than a year, highlighting the deepening rift rooted in the protracted power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite previous peace efforts, the Speaker has directed that the impeachment notice be served on the Governor and his Deputy, giving them seven days to respond to the allegations. Meanwhile, the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition has dismissed the proceedings as invalid and a desperate strategy by the pro-Wike faction.
