Why Rivers Assembly Stopped Fubara’s Impeachment

The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended the impeachment proceedings earlier initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, adopting the decision during a resumed plenary sitting in Port Harcourt.

The pause is mainly tied to two issues that made it difficult for the impeachment process to move forward smoothly: a legal barrier in court and renewed political intervention from the Presidency.

Court action slowed the process

Impeachment usually requires a key procedural step involving the Chief Judge, who is expected to constitute an investigative panel after receiving a request from lawmakers. In this case, the process faced a major complication after the governor and deputy governor reportedly approached the court and secured orders restraining the Chief Judge from acting on the Assembly’s request.

With that restraint in place, the impeachment process could not progress the way lawmakers planned, because the panel step is central to moving from allegations to formal investigation and recommendations.

Tinubu’s intervention pushed de-escalation

Beyond the courtroom hurdle, the Assembly’s decision came after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the Rivers political crisis. The intervention was aimed at calming tensions and preventing the dispute from escalating further. Reports indicate the President met with key actors in Abuja as part of the effort to restore political stability in the state.

The Assembly’s halt of the proceedings is widely seen as part of that de-escalation track.

The allegations that triggered the impeachment attempt

The House had opened impeachment proceedings earlier in the year over allegations of gross misconduct. The claims included issues linked to the demolition of the State Assembly complex and allegations of spending without legislative approval, among other complaints raised by lawmakers.

Why the Assembly likely chose a pause now

At this point, the process had become both legally complicated and politically costly. With the courts affecting a critical procedural step and the Presidency pushing a calmer route, lawmakers opted to suspend the proceedings rather than push a fight that could deepen instability in the state.