Rivers State is currently embroiled in a severe political crisis following the issuance of an impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Ordu, by the state House of Assembly. The impeachment proceedings, described as “deeply concerning” by the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum, are rooted in allegations of “gross misconduct,” including the governor’s alleged refusal to present the state budget in line with constitutional provisions and his appointment of cabinet members and expenditure of public funds without the assembly's approval.

This renewed political turmoil is an escalation of a longstanding power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The dispute, which centers on control of the state’s political machinery and key appointments, has repeatedly disrupted governance in the oil-rich state. Impeachment threats from a state assembly widely perceived to be loyal to Wike first surfaced in 2023 and resurfaced in 2025, prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene and declare a six-month state of emergency. This emergency rule, which aimed to restore political stability, ended in September 2025 with Fubara’s reinstatement, but the recent breakdown of a peace agreement has triggered these fresh impeachment proceedings.

The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum, through a statement signed by its acting chairman and former deputy governor, G.T.G. Toby, asserted that the impeachment notice lacks constitutional weight. The forum emphasized that impeachment is a serious constitutional process that should not be weaponized for political vendettas or personal interests, deeming the reasons advanced so far as weak and not addressing genuine public concerns. They warned that the process could deepen political divisions, erode public trust, and destabilize the state, urging the assembly to prioritize peace, stability, and the collective interest of Rivers State.

Adding to the discourse, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose commented on the rift, stating that only