Olushola Omogbehin
Following another intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the protracted political crisis Rivers State, the State House of Assembly has suspended its impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngọzi Odu.
The impeachment which was not the first in Governor Fubara administration was a result of escalating tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Rooted in a long-standing power struggle over legislative control and budget approvals, it increased after Fubara decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025.
The lawmakers had subsequently accused Fubara of demolishing the Assembly complex without authorisation, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for legislators and State Assembly Service Commission and ignoring court rulings on financial autonomy with unauthorised appointments.
Therefore, among the 32 members of the Assembly, 26 had signed the notice to invoke Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to remove the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.
The Speaker, Clerk, and Chief Judge were however restrained by Rivers State High Court from advancing the impeachment, pending further hearings.
But on Thursday, the impeachment was suspended through the intervention of President Tinubu to ending tensions in the state.
