The lingering political crisis in Rivers State shows no sign of abating after the indefinite adjournment of the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

Although the Presidency has publicly thrown its weight behind Governor Fubara, insisting that he must be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without interference, the standoff between the executive and the State House of Assembly continues to deepen.

Renowned Niger Delta activist and stakeholder, Ann Kio Briggs, has urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to desist from what she described as “bad politics,” warning that lawmakers do not possess the mandate to determine who governs Rivers State.

Lamenting the impact of the prolonged political impasse on governance and development in the state, Briggs said the situation had become unacceptable and must be brought to an end.

“The lawmakers cannot dictate to Rivers people who will govern them. Nobody will tell Rivers people who to vote for in 2027. This nonsense must stop,” she said.

This is as the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reiterated the Federal Government’s position on Rivers political crisis, stressing that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the rule of law and constitutional order.

Speaking during a television interview, Bwala stated that the political structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State is clear and that the party respects due process. He noted that existing court orders restraining the impeachment process must be obeyed, adding that no individual or institution should prevent Governor Fubara from governing the state.

Despite these interventions, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, appears unwilling to de-escalate the crisis. The lawmakers recently shunned an invitation to meet with a peace committee led by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alongside top security chiefs and regional stakeholders.

Subsequently, the Assembly filed an appeal against the interim court orders at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division. According to court documents, notices of appeal were served on the office of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, on January 19 and 20.

The Assembly had earlier requested the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate Governor Fubara and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct.

However, in a letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker, Justice Amadi declined the request, stating that he was legally restrained from acting due to subsisting interim injunctions issued by a High Court.

The Chief Judge had received two interim injunctions on January 16, arising from separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy, challenging the impeachment process—particularly the alleged improper service of the notice of allegations.

Prof. Odu, in her suit, specifically contested claims that she was duly served with the impeachment notice.

Tensions escalated in Rivers State after the lifting of State of Emergency and return of Fubara to office.

The fresh brawl emerged over governance decisions, particularly the appointment of commissioners and the presentation of a supplementary 2025 budget.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara had declined, maintaining that the budget passed by the National Assembly and implemented by the Sole Administrator remained valid and in force, insisting that the appropriate legislative action should focus on the 2026 Appropriation Bill. This position reportedly angered the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, further deepening the political rift.

The disagreement subsequently culminated in the issuance of an impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy. Although four lawmakers initially dissociated themselves from the move, they later aligned with the impeachment effort. Since then, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly involved in the process have remained resolute, vowing to pursue the impeachment to its logical conclusion.