…the lawmakers alleged that the governor and deputy governor resorted to sustained media attacks against the Assembly rather than embracing dialogue.
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Four Rivers State Lawmakers who earlier pulled out of the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara have made a dramatic U-turn, announcing renewed support for the proceedings.
The lawmakers are the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo; Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency; Barile Nwakoh representing Khana Constituency I; and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II.
They announced their decision on Friday during a live broadcast from the entrance of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, just days after appealing for a peaceful and political resolution to the crisis in the state.
Explaining the reversal, Nwankwo recalled that on January 12, 2026, he and Abbey had addressed the media, urging their colleagues to pursue dialogue to resolve the standoff between the Assembly and the governor. He said that while their appeal was ongoing, the governor and deputy governor allegedly resorted to sustained media attacks against the Assembly rather than embracing dialogue.
“Based on this development, I, Honourable Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside my colleague, Honourable Peter Abbey, have resolved that the impeachment proceedings should continue,” he said.
Similarly, Nwakoh and Amadi stated that their decision to support the impeachment was driven by what they described as the governor’s and deputy governor’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Their renewed backing comes amid escalating tensions within the Assembly over the impeachment of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had initiated impeachment proceedings last week, citing allegations of gross misconduct. These include the demolition of the Assembly complex and the alleged expenditure of public funds without legislative approval.
Earlier in the week, between Monday and Wednesday, the four lawmakers had announced their withdrawal from the process, stressing the need for reconciliation and political dialogue.
However, Assembly members on Friday maintained that the impeachment process would move forward, describing it as constitutional and the only viable path out of the political deadlock.
The latest development follows the Assembly’s inability to reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its previous sitting, amid reports of internal disagreements.
With the lawmakers’ latest reversal, the impeachment drive appears to have regained momentum within the House.
