Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had initially called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, have reversed their stance. These lawmakers, including Sylvanus Nwankwo (Minority Leader, Omuma State Constituency), Peter Abbey (Degema State Constituency), Barile Nwakoh (Khana State Constituency I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor State Constituency II), now fully support the impeachment of the governor and his deputy. They cited the governor and his deputy's alleged lack of remorse and their reported resort to ridicule in the media, instead of engaging in constructive dialogue, as reasons for their change of position. This U-turn was announced during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, January 16.

The reversal comes amidst escalating tensions, with the Rivers State House of Assembly formally requesting the Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, to establish separate seven-person panels to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy. This request was made in two letters dated January 16, 2026 (as per source material), signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, pursuant to Section 188(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The Speaker attached acknowledged copies of the notices of alleged gross misconduct, along with relevant procedure documents and newspaper publications, to his letters to the Chief Judge.

The impeachment proceedings, which began on January 8 and mark the third attempt since Governor Fubara took office in 2023, stem from allegations including the demolition of the Assembly complex and the alleged expenditure of public funds without legislative approval. Lawmakers have consistently maintained that the impeachment process is constitutional and a necessary mechanism for checks and balances. They explicitly dismissed any claims that their actions were driven by ethnic sentiments, emphasizing their duty to uphold the Constitution and protect the integrity of the legislature. They accused the executive of intimidation, constitutional breaches, and attempts to undermine the Assembly's oversight functions, running what they described as an authoritarian system.

Despite earlier peace efforts, including those brokered by President Bola Tinubu, the lawmakers asserted that these interventions had been disregarded by the governor and his deputy. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had previously accused Governor Fubara of reneging on a peace deal. The House's failure to reconvene plenary on January 15, after initiating impeachment proceedings a week prior, initially fueled speculation of a potential halt to the process. However, the unified declaration on January 16 by both the 26 members who had always supported the impeachment and the four who reversed their stance, confirmed the continuation of the proceedings. The lawmakers also referenced a Supreme Court judgment that reportedly warned against divisive sentiments and commented on the absence of proper governance in Rivers State.

The recommitment by the lawmakers marks a critical turning point in the protracted political saga, characterized by intense political maneuvering and public debate. The Assembly members stressed that any attempt to weaken the legislative arm poses a serious threat to democracy in Rivers State, and they remain resolute in their constitutional duties. As of the time of these statements, the Rivers State Government has not formally responded to the lawmakers' latest declarations.