The renewed push to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is largely connected to his refusal to present a supplementary budget, according to sources familiar with the matter.
A senior government source told SaharaReporters that lawmakers loyal to former Rivers Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were expecting fresh constituency allocations through a supplementary budget. The source claimed Wike had allegedly promised each of the pro-Wike lawmakers ₦10 billion worth of new constituency projects, but Governor Fubara declined to submit such a budget to the House of Assembly.
The refusal reportedly angered the lawmakers and strengthened their resolve to remove the governor from office.
“The main reason the Rivers State House of Assembly members are pushing for Governor Fubara’s impeachment is his refusal to prepare a supplementary budget,” the source said.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that documents obtained from within the Rivers State Government House showed that at least 26 lawmakers aligned with Wike received ₦350 million each in September 2025 for constituency projects during the period of emergency rule in the state. The payments, which totaled about ₦10.5 billion, were approved and released on September 12, 2025.
Investigations revealed that none of the constituency projects linked to the funds have been executed. Further findings indicated that many of the companies nominated by the lawmakers to carry out the projects were either dormant, inactive, or suspected to be shell entities.
A memo dated September 12, 2025, and signed by the Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Atemea K. Briggs, sought approval from the then Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), for the release of ₦10.5 billion as constituency project funds for 30 lawmakers. The document proposed ₦350 million per legislator, ostensibly for projects aimed at bringing governance closer to the people.
Records show that approval was granted the same day and funds were subsequently disbursed to accounts linked to companies nominated by the lawmakers. Bank statements reviewed by SaharaReporters confirmed the payments to at least 26 legislators through their chosen contractors, despite the absence of visible project execution across their constituencies.
Rivers State was placed under emergency rule in March 2025 following intense political conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on September 17, 2025, with normal governance resuming shortly afterward.
Impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, formally began on January 8, 2026. During plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule announced that allegations of gross misconduct had been signed by at least 26 lawmakers and would be served on the governor within seven days. A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor.
Although four lawmakers initially withdrew their support for the impeachment and called for political dialogue, they later reversed their decision and insisted that the process should continue.
