Four Lawmakers Reverse Withdrawal, Back Fubara's Impeachment

Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had recently stepped back from the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reversed their position, publicly declaring support for the process.

The lawmakers are Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), Barile Nwakoh (Khana I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor II).

The U-turn was announced on Friday during a live broadcast from the front of the House of Assembly complex, just days after the legislators had called for a peaceful resolution to the political standoff in the state.

Nwankwo reportedly told the press that the lawmakers initially appealed for dialogue on January 12, 2026, but changed their stance after observing that the governor and his deputy had engaged media aides to attack the Assembly rather than seek compromise. He said this prompted him and Abbey to insist that the impeachment proceedings continue.

Four Lawmakers Reverse Withdrawal, Back Fubara's Impeachment — Four Lawmakers Make U-Turn, Back Fubara’s Impeachment Credit: Channels TV

Nwakoh and Amadi were also reported to have explained that they decided to support the impeachment after concluding that Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, showed no willingness to resolve the crisis through negotiation.

The reversal comes with rising tensions in the Assembly over the impeachment of the governor and his deputy. The House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had last week initiated proceedings citing alleged gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex and spending public funds without legislative approval.

Earlier in the week, between Monday and Wednesday, the four lawmakers had withdrawn from the process, citing the need for political reconciliation.

However, Assembly members on Friday emphasized that the impeachment would continue, describing it as a constitutional and necessary measure to resolve the impasse.

The Assembly had failed to reconvene for plenary on Thursday, fueling speculation about internal disagreements.

With the renewed backing from Nwankwo, Abbey, Nwakoh, and Amadi, the impeachment process appears to have regained momentum.