Political tensions have escalated in Rivers State following renewed attempts by the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. Denge Josef Onoh, former South-East Spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, has strongly urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately suspend all its lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly who are allegedly involved in these moves.

Onoh, who also serves as the Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, issued a statement on Sunday in Abuja, describing the impeachment attempt led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule as an act of “legislative rascality” and a calculated, self-serving coup against constitutional order and democratic governance. He highlighted that the impeachment move, reportedly based on allegations of gross misconduct including the non-presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, fails to acknowledge a nationally approved budget running until August 2026 under earlier emergency provisions.

This current effort marks the third attempt to impeach Governor Fubara since 2023, with the latest escalation occurring in January 2026. Onoh noted the significant context of the involved lawmakers defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 5, 2025, just days before Governor Fubara's own defection to the ruling party. He asserted that the simultaneous targeting of both the governor and his deputy reveals a clear agenda to seize power through unconventional means, reiterating his call for the APC to suspend its involved lawmakers.

Despite these impeachment proceedings, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has publicly affirmed his position, stating he remains the governor of the state and will continue to discharge his constitutionally required duties. Speaking at the grand finale of the 2026 NPA Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament on Saturday, January 17, Governor Fubara emphasized the peaceful conclusion of the week-long event as proof that Rivers remains safe, urging residents to disregard “misleading narratives on social media.” He reiterated his commitment to the lives and property of everyone doing business in the state, assuring that he would not support any act that would endanger them.

In a related development, a high court in Port Harcourt issued an interim order on Friday, January 16, restraining the chief judge of Rivers from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Governor Fubara and his deputy. However, the lawmakers involved have reportedly vowed to proceed with the impeachment proceedings, asserting that the court lacks the power to halt such actions.