Ogona Anita
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has asked residents of the state to stay peaceful following new impeachment steps taken against him by the State House of Assembly.
He made this appeal on Sunday while speaking briefly at a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. During the service, the governor assured worshippers that the political situation in Rivers State would not lead to chaos or violence
Governor Fubara explained that his silence amid growing political pressure was a deliberate choice. According to him, he decided to remain quiet because of his strong belief in God and his conviction that distractions should not control his actions.
While reflecting on a comment he earlier made during the New Year banquet at the Government House, the governor repeated the statement, “Dogs bark when they do not understand,” referring to criticisms and political attacks directed at his leadership.
After his short address, Fubara invited his deputy, Ngozi Odu, who had earlier read the first lesson during the service, to speak to the congregation.
In her remarks, the deputy governor expressed appreciation to those present and encouraged Rivers residents to behave responsibly. She urged them to follow the teachings shared during the sermon delivered by the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda.
Odu reminded the people that every action would one day be remembered, stressing the importance of self-control and good character, especially during tense times.
She also called on residents to continue offering prayers for the state government, describing such prayers as “the pillar sustaining the government.”
Her message came at a time of rising political tension in Rivers State. Last Thursday, members of the State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, accusing them of gross misconduct.
The lawmakers also claimed that the governor approved spending without receiving proper authorization from the Assembly.
This development is the latest in a series of efforts by the Assembly to remove Fubara from office since he assuAndrew power in 2023. His tenure has been marked by a prolonged political crisis involving his predecessor and former ally, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In October 2023, the Assembly first moved to impeach Fubara over allegations of gross misconduct. That process was later halted after President Bola Tinubu intervened during a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
By December 2023, the impeachment notice was officially withdrawn after Fubara and Wike signed a peace agreement aimed at restoring stability in the state.
The peace deal did not last long. Months later, the Assembly removed the governor’s authority to appoint caretaker committees for local government councils.
In March 2025, lawmakers again started impeachment proceedings against both the governor and his deputy. While the process was ongoing, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending all elected officials for a period of six months.
Governor Fubara returned to office in September 2025 after the emergency rule was lifted. This followed another peace agreement reached in June between him and Wike.
That agreement has also since collapsed, with Wike accusing the governor of failing to uphold its terms.
Political tension in the state increased further after Governor Fubara recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
