Ogona Anita
A fresh political storm is gathering in Rivers State as a civil society organisation has formally triggered the process for the recall of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, alongside 25 other lawmakers.
The lawyers, operating under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), announced the commencement of the recall process in a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
A fresh layer of legal and political tension has been added to the deepening crisis in Rivers State as a coalition of prominent legislative lawyers has formally commenced moves to recall 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The move follows the controversial impeachment proceedings initiated by the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a development that has continued to polarise political actors and civil society groups across the state.
The lawyers, operating under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), announced the commencement of the recall process in a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In the letter, ALDRAP requested certified true copies (CTCs) of the voters register for all state constituencies in Rivers State, a key legal requirement for initiating the constitutional process of recalling elected legislators.
The impeachment process against Governor Fubara was triggered on Thursday when 26 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly accused the governor of gross misconduct, including alleged financial misappropriation. The move immediately sparked outrage among sections of the public, legal experts, and political stakeholders, many of whom described the impeachment attempt as provocative and destabilising.
According to documents obtained by News Week Nigeria, ALDRAP’s letter to INEC clearly states that several members of the association are registered voters and constituents in the affected constituencies, thereby giving them the constitutional standing to initiate a recall process against their representatives.
In the letter dated January 8, 2026, and signed by ALDRAP’s Secretary, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, SCN, the association formally notified INEC of its intention to begin the recall of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and 25 other lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice against Governor Fubara.
The letter, titled “Notice of commencement of recall of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 25 other legislators… and request for certified true copies (CTCs) of the voter register of all the state constituencies of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” accused the lawmakers of acting in bad faith and in defiance of established legal and judicial precedents
ALDRAP specifically referenced a February 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which reportedly urged both the executive and legislative arms in Rivers State to pursue peaceful and amicable means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to confrontational tactics. According to the lawyers, the impeachment move directly contradicts that ruling.
“Contrary to the judgment of February 2025 of the Supreme Court of Nigeria that enjoined the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to work in peaceful harmony with the Governor of Rivers State by exploring and exhausting amicable methods to resolve conflicts, the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have once again initiated belligerent methods,” the letter read in part.
The association further described the situation as ironic, noting that both Governor Fubara and the lawmakers spearheading the impeachment are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). ALDRAP argued that, at the very least, internal party mechanisms and dispute resolution channels should have been explored before resorting to impeachment
“Ironically, both the Governor of Rivers State and the said members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and ought to have explored and exhausted internal dispute resolution mechanisms,” the lawyers stated.
Beyond merely requesting documents, ALDRAP placed INEC on notice, warning that it would not hesitate to approach the courts should the electoral body fail or refuse to release the requested certified voters registers. Such a legal action, observers say, could further complicate an already volatile political atmosphere in the oil-rich state.
“In light of the foregoing, as a public interest organisation of lawyers, majority of whom are constituents of all state constituencies of the Rivers State House of Assembly, we hereby demand the aforementioned certified true copies (CTC) and put your Commission on notice,” the letter concluded.
Reacting further to the impeachment notice itself, ALDRAP dismissed the action by the lawmakers as legally defective and politically motivated. In a strongly worded statement, the association declared the impeachment notice “dead on arrival,” citing what it described as fundamental legal flaws.
One of the reasons advanced by the lawyers was what they called the improper manner in which the impeachment notice was addressed to Governor Fubara. According to ALDRAP, the lawmakers referred to the governor as “madam” in the letter, an error the association claims undermines the seriousness and legal validity of the notice.
“The letter of notice of impeachment against Governor Fubara is dead on arrival for two legal reasons,” ALDRAP stated. “One, the fundamental flaw of addressing Governor Fubara as ‘madam,’ and two, the constituents of Rivers State did not endorse or authorise the lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment against Governor Fubara.”
Legal analysts say that while the issue of how the governor was addressed may appear minor to the general public, procedural correctness is critical in impeachment proceedings, which are governed by strict constitutional and legislative rules.
The unfolding recall initiative marks a rare and bold attempt by civil society-aligned legal practitioners to directly challenge sitting lawmakers through constitutional means. If pursued to its logical conclusion, the process would require the collection of signatures from at least half of the registered voters in each affected constituency, verification by INEC, and the conduct of recall referendums.
Meanwhile, political observers warn that the escalating confrontation between the executive, legislature, and now legal advocacy groups could deepen instability in Rivers State if not carefully managed. Calls have continued to mount for dialogue, restraint, and respect for constitutional order as the situation evolves.
As INEC studies ALDRAP’s request and weighs its legal obligations, all eyes remain on Rivers State, where the battle over impeachment, recall, and political legitimacy appears far from over.
If the effort gains traction, it could become one of the most far-reaching recall initiatives against a state legislature in Nigeria’s recent political history—targeting not just the Speaker, but a majority of lawmakers accused of defying judicial guidance and deepening political instability in Rivers State.
