Four days after the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the governor has yet to be formally served with an impeachment notice, lawmakers and political sources said on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The delay comes amid competing claims about the status of the process and ongoing political tensions in the state.
Lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, commenced the impeachment process on Thursday, January 8, 2026, accusing Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, of alleged gross misconduct.
Despite the commencement of proceedings, the Assembly’s spokesperson said the governor had not yet been served notice, contrary to assertions in some quarters.
A source within government circles, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that Fubara’s physical absence from the state contributed to the delay.
The source said the governor had just returned from an official trip to Europe late Saturday night and had travelled to Abuja on Sunday after attending an Armed Forces Remembrance Day service, making service of the notice logistically difficult.
Despite reports suggesting the impeachment letter had been delivered, state officials insisted that formal service had not occurred because the governor was unavailable for personal delivery in line with constitutional procedures, which require that the subject of an impeachment be notified within specified timelines.
The speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers maintain that the impeachment process is ongoing.
Officials within the legislative chamber also expressed concern about potential efforts to derail the process, alleging that individuals may seek court orders from divisions outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to halt proceedings — a tactic the Assembly described as unconstitutional interference.
Political tensions have also intensified as two members of the House publicly withdrew their support for the impeachment, advocating for dialogue and reconciliation rather than removal from office.
These lawmakers cited growing pressure from elders and community leaders calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The impeachment attempt marks another phase in a prolonged political dispute in Rivers State that has drawn national attention.
Stakeholders, including civic groups and political associations, have weighed in on both sides of the issue, underscoring concerns about governance, legislative authority and the broader impact on stability in the oil‑producing South‑South region.
Separately, political actors and APC affiliates have called for suspension or reconsideration of impeachment moves, citing the need to uphold peace agreements brokered in prior reconciliation efforts, including those facilitated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2025.
Legal and constitutional experts say formal service of impeachment notices is critical before substantive proceedings can continue, and the timing and method of service may become focal points in any subsequent legal challenges.
Observers are monitoring developments as both legislative and mediation efforts continue amid a politically charged environment in Rivers State.
