This latest twist exacerbates the longstanding rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
By TheInvestigator
The political impasse in Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Thursday as the Rivers State House of Assembly, under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to reconvene for its scheduled plenary session. This development comes amid swirling rumours of an internal plot by some lawmakers to impeach Amaewhule, further complicating the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu.
The Assembly’s inaction follows a high-stakes sitting on January 8, 2026, where lawmakers initiated impeachment processes against Fubara and Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct. These include the controversial demolition of the State Assembly complex, unauthorised public spending without legislative approval, failure to present the 2026 budget, and other constitutional violations as outlined in Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The House adjourned until January 15, issuing a seven-day ultimatum for the governor and deputy to respond to the charges. However, as of noon on the resumption date, the conference hall along Aba Road, where the Assembly has been holding sessions, remained deserted, with no official explanation provided.
Sources close to the government, speaking anonymously to TheInvestigator, suggested that the postponement was a strategic move by Amaewhule after he reportedly learned of an impending coup within his ranks. “What I heard was that there was an attempt to impeach the Speaker today, but he got wind of it and decided not to reconvene the House,” the official revealed, likening the situation to an “animal that removes itself from a trap set.”
Efforts to contact the House Chairman on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, Dr Eneme George, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
This latest twist exacerbates the longstanding rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The Assembly, predominantly aligned with Wike, has been at the forefront of efforts to challenge Fubara’s administration, which critics argue stems from broken political agreements and power struggles dating back to the 2023 elections.
Wike, during a recent tour, reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu and dismissed rumours of his own potential sack, while Amaewhule publicly affirmed Wike as the lawmakers’ political leader.
Adding to the Assembly’s challenges, the impeachment drive against Fubara has faced internal setbacks. Between Monday and Wednesday, four lawmakers, Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey, Barile Nwakoh, and Emilia Amadi withdrew their support, advocating for dialogue and an amicable resolution.