Impeachment: Chaos in Rivers as Court Slams Brakes on Fubara’s Removal

By: Abudu Olalekan

Okay, hold on. Let’s unpack this drama. It’s getting messy in Rivers State. A High Court just stepped in. Hard. And the political temperature just went from hot to volcanic.

Here is the play-by-play. Justice F. A. Fiberesima of the Rivers State High Court dropped an interim order. A big one. It restrains the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, from doing anything. Anything at all with any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. Can’t receive it. Can’t act on it. Full stop.

This came after the governor and his deputy sprinted to court. They filed motions ex parte. A desperate move for a desperate time. Why? Because just this past Friday, the Rivers State House of Assembly made a formal request. They asked the Chief Judge to set up a panel. To investigate allegations of gross misconduct. They called the governor “incorrigible.” Said the process would go on no matter what. So Fubara and Odu did the only thing they could. They ran to the courts.

And the court listened. Justice Fiberesima’s order isn’t just for the Chief Judge. It names names. The Speaker, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and 32 others. Including the Clerk of the House. They are all restrained. The Chief Judge is specifically told: don’t touch any request, resolution, or articles of impeachment. For seven days. The court also allowed for substituted service. Meaning they can paste the court order on the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters. That’s a public spectacle. A bold move. The case is adjourned to January 23, 2026. This is just the opening act.

But here’s where it gets really spicy. What’s this really about? Reportersroom got some explosive context. Mr. Darlington Oji, the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, went on TV. He didn’t hold back. He called this “belle kingdom politics.” Politics of the stomach. Selfish interest, not public good.

His claim? It’s about money. And a budget. He says the lawmakers are angry because Governor Fubara refused to present a supplementary budget. Why? Because the budget from the emergency period, overseen by the former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), is still running. Fubara argued it’s almost year-end, a new budget is coming soon.

But Oji dropped the bomb. He alleged each lawmaker got N350 million for constituency projects during that Ibas period. Plus brand new SUVs. Now, he claims, they want more. Their “interests” weren’t captured. The governor said no. Capture it in the next budget.

“The governor responded that even he, as the sitting governor, did not make any input into that budget,” Oji stated. He reminded them it was November. A new budget was due in December. He wouldn’t do a supplementary one.

Oji then turned the tables. The Assembly claims gross misconduct for a N100,000 Christmas bonus for workers, saying it wasn’t budgeted. His retort? “What about the N350 million given to each Assembly member for constituency projects? Were the SUVs they are using captured in the budget?” You can’t have it both ways, he argued.

He says Rivers people are catching on. That there’s no real misconduct. Just politics. “Rivers was fast becoming a theatre of arts and culture,” he lamented. He said Fubara’s peace-loving nature is being seen as weakness. “Even now, I know the governor will not be happy that I’m speaking out,” Oji admitted. But he felt he had to clear the air.

Meanwhile, back at the Assembly? They’re digging in. Despite the court order. Twenty-six members met. They insist on continuing the impeachment. They say Fubara is “incorrigible.” Even the four members who earlier begged for a political solution have now joined the hardline position. They’re telling the Speaker to let the constitutional process proceed.

So here’s the standoff. A court order freezing everything for seven days. A governor’s camp accusing lawmakers of a cash-grab. Lawmakers insisting the governor must go. It’s a classic Nigerian political stalemate. But with billions of naira and giant egos in the mix. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. The court on January 23rd will be the next episode in this chaotic drama.