By Ayo Kehinde
Pressure continued to mount on the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, as two additional lawmakers publicly withdrew their support for the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their positions known in Port Harcourt, citing the need for peace and stability.
They urged their colleagues to immediately withdraw the impeachment notices, warning that the process is polarizing the state and stalling critical development.
According to the lawmakers, the Assembly’s focus should be on constructive engagement and legislation that benefits the people rather than escalating political tensions.
They emphasised that governance and service delivery must not be disrupted by partisan disputes, especially as the state’s 2026 budget remains in limbo due to the legislative standoff.
This development follows a similar move on Monday, January 12, when the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma), and Peter Abbey (Degema) appealed for the proceedings to be halted.
Both legislators noted that their decision was influenced by interventions from regional elders and leaders who have called for an amicable resolution outside of impeachment.
With four members now openly dissenting, the pro-Wike faction—led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule—may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the “two-thirds majority” (22 out of 32 members) required to legally remove the governor.
While the House leadership maintained as recently as Sunday that the process remains “fully on course,” the growing internal fractures coincide with a new peace initiative launched by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The political crisis in Rivers has intensified since the start of the year, with 26 lawmakers serving impeachment notices on January 8, 2026, citing allegations of extra-budgetary spending and contempt of court.
The House has adjourned plenary until Thursday, January 15, when further deliberations on the matter are expected to resume.
