A civic watchdog group has raised concerns over the impeachment proceedings against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, describing the move as a politically motivated witch-hunt. The Good Governance Advocacy Centre (GGAC) claims that a 72-hour review of evidence revealed that the allegations against the governor and his deputy are “manifestly weak, speculative and politically motivated”.
According to the group’s country representative, Dr Zaccheus Ocha, the impeachment letter fails to meet the basic constitutional threshold required to trigger removal proceedings. The centre’s analysis found that the allegations fall within the discretionary powers of the executive arm of government, and none of the claims meet the standard of “grave violation or misconduct” as listed by Section 188 of the Constitution.
The GGAC linked the impeachment move to the ongoing political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, describing the crisis as a continuation of unresolved power struggles rather than a genuine accountability process. The group alleged that the state assembly has become a “proxy battlefield” in a broader struggle to retain control over state structures, with impeachment being used as a coercive instrument to force political submission.
The advocacy group warned that using impeachment as a political tool poses a significant threat to democratic stability, not just in Rivers State but nationally. The group’s findings show a deliberate attempt to intimidate the executive and destabilise governance in the state through legislative overreach. The GGAC also noted that several allegations cited administrative decisions clearly within the lawful authority of the governor, including appointments and budgetary actions.
The group has called on lawmakers to immediately suspend the impeachment proceedings and embrace dialogue, urging respected political leaders, elders, and civil society actors to intervene to prevent a constitutional crisis. The GGAC warned that continuing with the impeachment could plunge Rivers State into prolonged instability, distract from governance, and undermine economic and security priorities in the oil-producing state.
The developments in Rivers State have significant implications for the country’s democratic stability and the rule of law. The use of impeachment as a political tool can have far-reaching consequences, undermining the independence of the executive and legislative arms of government. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved, and what impact it will have on the state and the country as a whole.
