Two additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and are calling for a peaceful political solution to the ongoing crisis in the state, lawmakers said on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The lawmakers — Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I) and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II) — announced their decision during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, saying they now back dialogue and negotiation instead of confrontation. They made the call barely 48 hours after two other lawmakers took similar steps.

At the briefing, both legislators said respected leaders and stakeholders in Rivers had urged them to prioritise peace and stability over a legal battle that could deepen the political divide in the state.

While they acknowledged that constitutional concerns remain, they argued that continued tension could hurt governance and community wellbeing.

Their withdrawal brings to four the number of lawmakers — out of the original 26 who signed the impeachment notice — now calling for a peaceful resolution.

Earlier this week, Sylvanus Nwankwo, the House Minority Leader representing Omuma Constituency, and Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency publicly stepped back from the impeachment process with similar appeals.

The developments signal growing divisions within the Rivers Assembly over the attempt to remove the governor and his deputy on allegations of gross misconduct.

With lawmakers increasingly urging restraint, observers say the impeachment move may face difficulty gaining enough backing to succeed.

The House is expected to reconvene in plenary on Thursday, January 15, 2026, where the leadership will likely need to address the contrasting views within the chamber as the political impasse continues.

Analysts say the shift by several lawmakers could open space for negotiations and mediated talks aimed at de-escalating the crisis, which has drawn attention from political groups and civil society seeking stability in the oil-producing state.

Next steps: Focus now turns to how the Assembly leadership manages the split among members and whether further calls for dialogue will reshape the political situation in Rivers State, emphasising diplomatic engagement over legal confrontation.