The Rivers State House of Assembly has refused to engage with the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) peace and reconciliation committee, signalling continued resolve to pursue the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The development emerged in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, amid deepening political tensions in the state.
The seven-member PANDEF committee, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation, arrived in the state last Saturday to broker dialogue between the warring political factions.
The panel also engaged with members of the Rivers State Leaders/Elders Forum and the Rivers State Elders Council.
Despite these efforts, all attempts by the panel to secure an audience with the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, failed. According to a source present during the engagements, repeated calls and messages to the speaker went unanswered, leaving the committee unable to meet with lawmakers.
“The committee made frantic efforts to reach out to the speaker … but the young man did not pick their calls,” the source said.
A similar outreach to Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, leader of the Rivers State Elders Council and a close ally of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, also did not yield results. The peace delegation subsequently departed Port Harcourt after determining that it could not make further progress at that time.
Lawmakers backing the impeachment have accused Governor Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct, a charge they maintain justifies the continuation of impeachment proceedings.
The Assembly has already communicated to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, urging the formation of a seven-member investigative panel to probe the allegations against the governor and his deputy once more.
The Assembly adjourned its sitting to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, fuelling speculation that it may soon resume steps to remove the governor and deputy governor from office.
Sources close to the Legislature suggest that most lawmakers remain committed to the impeachment process despite ongoing peace initiatives.
The failed engagement comes after the PANDEF committee earlier met separately with Minister Wike in Abuja and with Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt in efforts to de-escalate the political crisis.
The panel had been given a two-week mandate to reconcile the opposing camps and submit a report, but its inability to engage legislators represents a major setback to its mission.
A reliable source also indicated that existing court orders may limit the Chief Judge’s ability to constitute an investigative panel, as a High Court directive restrains judicial action in relation to the impeachment correspondences.
The source suggested lawmakers could appeal the decision, but said the injunction remains in effect for now.
The ongoing standoff underscores the deep political divisions within Rivers State, rooted in disputes between the governor and entrenched legislative interests.
Observers note that the sustainable resolution of the crisis hinges on broader political negotiations, legal determinations, and the willingness of key stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue.
