Four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment
Politics in Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Monday as four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had earlier opposed moves to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara suddenly reversed their position and declared support for his impeachment.
The decision, announced after an emergency caucus meeting in Port Harcourt, has deepened the political crisis in the oil-rich state and signaled that the battle for control of the Rivers political structure is far from over.
With the latest development, the internal conflict that has divided the Rivers State House of Assembly for months appears to be entering a new and unpredictable phase.
A Sudden Political Reversal
The four lawmakers—whose identities were confirmed by legislative sources—had previously aligned themselves with the pro-Fubara camp during the initial impeachment crisis late last year.
At the height of the standoff between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, former Governor Nyesom Wike, the lawmakers publicly rejected attempts to unseat the governor and insisted that stability should be prioritized over political vendetta.
But in a surprising twist, the same lawmakers now say they have reconsidered their stance and will support renewed moves to impeach the governor.
Their reversal has been widely described as one of the most significant political developments since the crisis erupted.
Political observers say the moment the four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment, the balance of power inside the Assembly shifted dramatically.
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How the Crisis Escalated
The Rivers political crisis began months ago following disagreements between Governor Fubara and loyalists of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
What started as a battle for political influence quickly spilled into the state legislature, splitting the Assembly into two factions—one loyal to Fubara and another aligned with Wike.
An earlier attempt to impeach the governor failed after court interventions and national political mediation temporarily calmed tensions.
However, Monday’s development shows that the fragile truce has effectively collapsed.
By the time the four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment, it became clear that new political calculations were underway.
Reasons Given for the Change of Heart
In a joint statement released to journalists, the lawmakers said their decision was based on what they described as “new facts and developments” about the governance of Rivers State.
They accused Governor Fubara of failing to respect legislative authority and alleged that his administration had sidelined elected representatives in key decisions affecting the state.
“We were elected to defend democracy and uphold the constitution,” the statement read. “Recent actions of the governor have shown disregard for the legislature, and we cannot continue to look the other way.”
The lawmakers insisted that their earlier support for the governor was given in good faith, but claimed that circumstances had changed.
Their statement confirmed beyond doubt that the four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment as a deliberate political position.
Implications for Governor Fubara
The sudden defection of the four lawmakers represents a serious setback for Governor Fubara.
Although he still retains support among several Assembly members, the new alignment strengthens the pro-impeachment bloc and increases pressure on his administration.
Legal experts say that impeachment is a numbers game, and every defection inside the legislature matters.
With the news that four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment, analysts now believe that fresh impeachment proceedings could gain real momentum in the coming weeks.
Reactions from the Governor’s Camp
Allies of Governor Fubara have dismissed the development as political blackmail and intimidation.
A senior government official who spoke to Ogele News on condition of anonymity described the lawmakers’ reversal as “a product of pressure and inducement.”
“The governor remains focused on governance,” the official said. “This is nothing but a desperate attempt by certain interests to destabilize Rivers State.”
Pro-Fubara supporters have also accused external forces of engineering the crisis for personal political gain.
Public Opinion Deeply Divided
Across Rivers State, reactions to the latest twist have been mixed.
Some residents believe the lawmakers have the right to change their minds if they feel governance has gone off track.
Others see the move as a betrayal of the mandate given to them by voters.
Civil society groups have urged all parties to respect the rule of law and avoid actions that could plunge the state into instability.
Many political watchers say that once four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment, it sends a worrying signal about the volatility of party politics in Nigeria.
Legal and Constitutional Questions
Even with the renewed push, any attempt to impeach the governor must still follow strict constitutional procedures.
Legal analysts say the pro-impeachment lawmakers will need to demonstrate clear grounds and secure the required two-thirds majority of the Assembly.
Courts are also expected to play a major role in determining the legality of any new impeachment process.
Previous court rulings have already complicated the crisis, and further litigation appears inevitable.
What Happens Next
The Rivers political drama is now entering a crucial stage.
With the confirmation that four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment, the stage is set for a possible fresh showdown inside the Assembly chambers.
Political insiders say intense lobbying, negotiations, and counter-negotiations are already taking place behind closed doors.
Whether the impeachment push will succeed or collapse like previous attempts remains to be seen.
A State Held Hostage by Politics
For ordinary residents of Rivers State, the latest political maneuvering raises familiar concerns.
Many citizens worry that the endless power struggle is distracting leaders from addressing urgent issues such as infrastructure, security, and economic development.
As one Port Harcourt trader told Ogele News: “While they fight for power, the people are the ones suffering.”
Conclusion
The decision by the four Rivers Assembly lawmakers make U-turn, backs Fubara’s impeachment has reopened political wounds that many believed had begun to heal.
It underscores the fragile nature of political alliances in Nigeria and the high stakes involved in controlling one of the country’s most strategic states.
In the days ahead, all eyes will be on the Rivers State House of Assembly to see whether this latest twist will lead to a full-blown impeachment process or yet another round of political compromise.
