Four lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the impeachment process targeting Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, saying they now favour a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the state.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by the lawmakers at a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
The lawmakers are Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, Minority Leader and member for Omuma State Constituency, Hon. Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency, Hon. Barile Nwakoh of Khana I and Hon. Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor II.
They said recent appeals from community leaders, elders and stakeholders prompted their change of position.
Nwankwo said they initially backed the impeachment notice but had since seen the importance of seeking peace and stability.
He said the Assembly should focus on dialogue and reconciliation rather than confrontation. “We appeal to our colleagues to reconsider and pursue political solutions,” he told reporters.
Abbey also spoke during the briefing, calling for calm and unity. He said a political approach could help address divisions within the Assembly and the wider state. “We remain committed to the progress and stability of Rivers State,” Abbey said.
The lawmakers’ decision brings to four the number of Assembly members who have backed away from the impeachment process. Earlier, Nwankwo and Abbey withdrew their support, and now Nwakoh and Amadi have joined in urging colleagues to halt the impeachment move in favour of peaceful engagements.
The impeachment process was launched after lawmakers accused Fubara and Odu of alleged gross misconduct, including failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill on time and other actions they said were incompatible with constitutional responsibilities.
The Assembly had read the impeachment notice on the floor and signalled a move toward formal proceedings before the recent U‑turns.
Supporters of the governor view the withdrawals as a positive step toward reducing political tension in the state. A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers had earlier criticised the impeachment plan, calling for dialogue and mutual respect among political leaders.
Meanwhile, some civic groups have also urged patience and negotiation instead of legal action, saying impeachment could worsen divisions in Rivers State. They called for broader discussions among stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to find a way forward.
The political standoff in Rivers has endured for months, rooted in competing factions and disagreements between the governor and some members of the House of Assembly. Observers say the latest withdrawals may affect the momentum of impeachment efforts and open space for renewed political talks.
As events unfold, attention will turn to how other lawmakers respond and whether the Assembly will shift its approach from impeachment to negotiation and compromise to ease the crisis in Nigeria’s oil‑producing state.
