The political landscape in Rivers State has plunged into renewed instability following fresh impeachment proceedings initiated by 26 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. This marks the third such attempt against Governor Fubara, with previous moves occurring on October 30, 2023, and March 17, 2025. The latest action, which relies on Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, accuses Governor Fubara of gross misconduct, including spending public funds without an approved budget, failing to present a mid-term expenditure framework, demolishing the Assembly Complex, extra budgetary spending, withholding funds for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusing to obey Supreme Court rulings on the financial autonomy of the House. Deputy Governor Odu also faces allegations of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House of Assembly's constitutional duties, conniving with unauthorized persons for budgetary approval, and seizing salaries and allowances for the RSHA and the Assembly Service Commission. The Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, stated that the notice of allegations would be served to the governor within seven days.

Speaker Amaewhule further accused Governor Fubara of undermining democratic governance by repeatedly failing to comply with constitutional provisions, particularly regarding budget presentation and expenditure approvals. He alleged that the governor deliberately chose not to present the budget, claiming Fubara told his followers the Assembly was a "toothless bulldog" incapable of enforcing the constitution. Amaewhule expressed fears for the future of democratic governance in Rivers State if such actions were allowed to continue, also alleging unauthorized spending of taxpayers' money. He noted that the refusal to present budgets was a core reason behind both the current and previous impeachment efforts, and that peace efforts by President Bola Tinubu and former Governor Nyesom Wike had failed, with the governor allegedly maintaining he would not present the budget.

The renewed impeachment push has intensified political tension in the state, coming shortly after the return of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to Rivers State. His public statements during a "thank you" tour, where he reportedly vowed to "correct the mistakes of 2023" and emphasized that occupying the governor's office does not confer party leadership or guarantee electoral tickets, are widely seen as confirming the collapse of the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu on September 18, 2025.

Reactions to the impeachment move have been sharply divided. Residents have decried the growing political instability, warning of further retrogression. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, a former Special Adviser to Wike, called the development "unfortunate," blaming "unnecessary power struggles" and accusing the minister of using lawmakers for personal political interests, arguing that the state does not need renewed turmoil given existing economic and social challenges. He urged President Tinubu to intervene, cautioning against "premature political campaigns disguised as thanksgiving tours." An entrepreneur, Mr. Akinwatimi Akinola Joshua, noted a significant slowdown in economic activities, while a trader, Mrs. Caroline Ibinabo, expressed dismay at the political class's unwillingness to allow stability, urging all parties to embrace peace for the state's development.

Public affairs analyst Eme Kingsley suggested the impeachment process should be viewed within the context of Abuja politics, believing President Tinubu is well aware of developments and that Governor Fubara has been insincere with previous peace agreements. Kingsley dismissed claims that Assembly members lack access to the Presidency, pointing to Wike's "unrestricted access" and recent presidential appointments for his allies. He further asserted that judicial pronouncements, including a Supreme Court indictment against the governor for spending without appropriation, strengthened the Assembly's power to impeach.

However, several groups have strongly opposed the impeachment. The Eastern Zone of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) accused Minister Nyesom Wike of escalating political hostilities, describing his "confrontational posture" as a significant threat to public peace, democratic order, and stability. They recalled the June 26, 2025 peace accord and criticized Wike for undermining it through hostility and political interference, specifically mentioning alleged demands for the dismissal of senior state officials as an encroachment on the governor's constitutional powers. They also affirmed Governor Fubara’s unrestricted right to contest future elections.

Surprisingly, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Emeka Beke, also rejected the impeachment proceedings. Through its spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the party declared it "totally untenable" to remain silent while internal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crises destabilize an "APC-led government." Nwauju argued that the budgetary issues cited for impeachment were unnecessary, noting an existing one-year budget approved under emergency rule in June and July 2025, valid until August 2026, and the constitutional provision allowing a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year. He warned APC lawmakers against external pressure.

Further opposition came from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which condemned the plot as "reckless, unconstitutional, and morally indefensible," accusing lawmakers of acting as proxies and urging President Tinubu to intervene. The Rivers Peace Initiative also warned of serious escalation and instability, stating that impeachment should never be used as a tool of political pressure, and called for immediate de-escalation and dialogue.

As reactions continue to unfold, Rivers State remains caught in a complex web of legislative authority, executive survival, ethnic mobilization, party discipline, and federal influence. Analysts conclude that without urgent restraint and credible mediation, the state faces a prolonged period of political uncertainty, jeopardizing governance, development, and public confidence.