In a dramatic turn of events, four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have reversed course on their earlier stance and now back the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The lawmakers—Sylvanus Nwankwo (Minority Leader), Peter Abbey (Degema Constituency), Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I), and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II)—announced their U-turn during a live broadcast outside the Rivers State House of Assembly complex on Friday.

The quartet had previously urged a political solution to the ongoing crisis between the Assembly and the governor. However, after observing what they described as a lack of willingness from the executive to engage in dialogue, they decided to support continuing the impeachment process.

Nwankwo highlighted concerns that the governor and deputy governor had used media channels to attack the Assembly rather than pursue the political solution they had sought. He and his colleagues concluded that dialogue had stalled, making impeachment the viable constitutional path to resolve the impasse.

The opposition and the current stance within the Assembly

Even as Nwankwo, Abbey, Nwakoh, and Amadi shifted their position, the rest of the House remained focused on the impeachment proceedings. The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and other members have framed impeachment as a constitutional mechanism to address alleged gross misconduct and to resolve the political stalemate.

The core allegations cited include the demolition of the Assembly complex and the purported spending of public funds without proper legislative approval. The impeachment process was already underway before the U-turn by the four lawmakers.

Context and implications: The impeachment process has been a flashpoint in Rivers State politics, with tensions between the legislative and executive branches intensifying over the past weeks.

Friday’s developments could signal a shift in momentum for the impeachment effort, especially if the four lawmakers’ votes prove pivotal in plenary sessions and potential outcomes.

The situation remains fluid as internal dynamics within the Assembly continue to unfold, with the party leadership and the Assembly’s leadership steering the process amid ongoing scrutiny and public commentary.

The impeachment proceedings are described by supporters as constitutional and a necessary step to resolve the impasse between the Assembly and Governor Fubara’s administration.

Observers will be watching for how this reversal affects the strategy and vote in upcoming plenary sessions, and whether the executive will pursue further dialogue or escalate the constitutional process.