Rivers Crisis Deepens – Fubara’s Impeachment Battle Takes Shocking Turns

By: Abudu Olalekan

“We’re Not Backing Down” – Rivers Lawmakers Double Down on Fubara Impeachment

The air in Port Harcourt was thick with tension.

Monday. Four lawmakers walked out. Said they wanted peace. Said they’d had enough of the fighting. Said they’d try dialogue.

By Friday? They were back. And this time, they weren’t just supporting the impeachment—they were leading it.

What changed?

According to them? Everything.

The Flip-Flop That Shocked No One
Sylvanus Nwankwo. Peter Abbey. Barile Nwakoh. Emilia Amadi.

These were the four who’d stepped back. Said they wanted reconciliation. Said they’d give the governor one last chance.

Then came the live plenary.

And just like that—poof—their stance vanished.

“The governor doesn’t listen,” they said. “He mocks us. Threatens us. Uses the EFCC like a weapon.”

So much for dialogue.

The Assembly didn’t waste time. A vote. 25-0. No abstentions. No mercy.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule didn’t mince words: “The investigation proceeds. The Chief Judge gets the letter. The panel is formed.”

And just like that, Rivers State’s political war entered its next phase.

The Accusations: Blackmail, Intimidation, and a Governor Who Won’t Play Ball
Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol didn’t hold back.

“Fubara and his deputy? They’re bullies. They’ve turned the EFCC into their personal hit squad. They smear us in the media. They ignore the law. And now? They’re trying to buy off our constituents to recall us.”

Looloo Opuende, another lawmaker, dropped the real bombshell.

“While we’re trying to fix this mess, the governor is out there paying people to turn against us. He’s handing out cash to our own voters, telling them to demand our recall. Is that leadership? Is that how a governor behaves?”

Opuende’s voice was sharp. “If he wanted peace, he’d talk to us. Instead, he’s playing dirty. So no—we’re not stopping. The Constitution is clear. Impeachment is the only way.”

Fubara’s Camp Fires Back: “This Is a Scripted Drama”
Darlington Orji, Fubara’s political aide, didn’t buy it.

“Scripted. That’s what this is. A bad play with worse actors.”

He leaned into the mic, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, now they’ve ‘seen the light’? They got calls from all over—Rivers people, leaders, even outsiders—begging for peace. And what do they do? Flip again. Because someone on social media called them names? Please.”

Orji’s tone turned serious. “This isn’t about governance. It’s a power grab. A man thinks he owns the governor. Thinks he can pull the strings. Well, Rivers State isn’t his puppet show.”

He paused. “But we’ll win. Because the people are with us.”

The Court Steps In—But for How Long?
Just when things couldn’t get messier, the judiciary threw a wrench in the works.

A Port Harcourt High Court slammed the brakes on the impeachment—for now.

No letters to the Chief Judge. No panel. No next steps. At least, not for seven days.

Justice F.A. Fiberesima didn’t just issue an order—he made sure the Assembly felt it. The injunction had to be served right at their doorstep.

The case? Adjourned to January 23.

What Happens Next?
Here’s the thing about political wars: they don’t end cleanly.

Fubara’s camp says this is a fight for the soul of Rivers. The lawmakers say it’s about accountability. The court says, “Hold on, let’s check the rulebook.”

But one thing’s certain—this isn’t over.

The Assembly has adjourned till January 27. The court’s order lasts seven days. And somewhere in Port Harcourt, a governor is digging in.

Will there be a truce? A surrender? Or just more chaos?

One thing’s for sure—Rivers State isn’t sleeping anytime soon.