Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have alleged that they uncovered a plot by certain individuals linked to the executive arm of the state government to obtain a court order preventing the legislature from performing its functions.
This comes as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ended his tour of the 23 local government areas of the state.
A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr Enemi George, said the alleged plot involved securing an ex parte order from a Rivers State High Court operating outside Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Last Thursday, the lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, outlining multiple allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The allegations include extra-budgetary spending of over N800bn without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.
Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with the Constitution.
The development marks a renewed escalation of the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted by presidential interventions, before a state of emergency was declared by President Bola Tinubu last March.
However, the House said in Sunday’s statement to journalists that the alleged attempt to halt the impeachment proceedings was dead on arrival, as it amounted to an effort to subvert the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers described the alleged plot as illegal, saying it violated Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution, as well as existing judicial decisions of the Court of Appeal.
George said that instead of running from pillar to post, the office holders served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct should respond accordingly.
He said, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilise some Rivers State High Courts, especially those outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, to issue ex parte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties.
“These persons are fully aware of the provisions of Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which states that, ‘subject to the provisions of Section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term of office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, governor or deputy governor has ceased or become vacant.’
“Also, Section 188(10) states that ‘no proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.’
“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recent decisions of the Court of Appeal involving similar ex parte orders by Rivers State High Courts contrary to Section 272(3) of the Constitution. A word is enough for the wise.”
The Assembly called on those behind the alleged move to exercise restraint and refrain from actions inimical to the Constitution.
The lawmakers added, “Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.
“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the notices of allegations of gross misconduct to respond to them item by item, rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.
“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law, and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has returned to Port Harcourt after a recent trip abroad.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the governor travelled to France to meet with the President over the impeachment move, though the reports were not confirmed by official state sources.
On Sunday, the governor attended a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
Also in attendance were his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and other senior government officials.
The service marked the first public appearance of Governor Fubara and his deputy since fresh impeachment proceedings were initiated against them by the Rivers State House of Assembly last Thursday.
The latest move by the lawmakers is the third impeachment attempt against the governor in less than three years.
Despite the renewed political tension in the state, Governor Fubara and members of his administration have remained silent on the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them by the Assembly.