Stand-down of impeachment seen as another step in return of peace in Rivers politics

Another big sign emerged in the Rivers State’s political firmament in the week to show that peace has truly returned in the state.

The sign seems to be another step toward peace. This time, it is the stand-down of impeachment motion against Gov Sim Fubara and his deputy (Ngozi Nma Ordu).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had for the fourth time intervened in the Nyesom Wike versus Fubara fight; from the eight point agreement in Aso Rock which was observed by each party largely in the breach, to the state of emergency, to the meeting with Fubara that led to defection, and the last meeting in Aso Rock with both parties.

Wike came out to announce to the world that there would be no more crisis. He sounded so sure and many wondered why.

The first sign that peace was truly back was the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council (Cabinet). This was an indication that both camps would now contribute to the formation of the cabinet.

The next is now the withdrawal of impeachment motion against the governor and the deputy. By this, all court actions and appeals are expected to come to an end.

Some insiders in the Fubara camp have also called for end to further striving, saying the governor should just work with whatever leverage allowed him by Abuja (Wike and Tinubu).

The impeachment took place Thursday February 19, 2026, after the sitting of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

At the sitting presided over Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker, the House moved to halt the impeachment process during plenary, shortly after the Assembly rose from a committee of the whole.

Read also: Rivers lawmakers drop impeachment proceedings against Fubara, deputy

Amaewhule informed the House that the withdrawal of the impeachment proceedings followed the intervention of President Tinubu

He also informed the House that all court cases filed by the governor, his deputy and the Rivers State House of Assembly have been withdrawn.

The lawmakers also expressed expectations that the governor and his deputy would henceforth act in line with the constitution and not to violate it by their actions. The governor has never seen himself as one violating the constitution because the budget was passed by the National Assembly. After all, his backers say, the lawmakers began impeachment drive merely five months after Fubara came to office, wondering when he had had the time to even commit an impeachable offence. Many also wonder when the deputy committed any offence.

The Rivers State House of Assembly had on January 7, 2026, commenced a third or fourth impeachment proceeding against the governor and his deputy.

The House had alleged gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State House of Assembly Complex and spending without legislative approval against Fubara and Odu as grounds for the impeachment process.

Enemi Alabo George, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Petition, and Complaints, had in a letter tagged, ‘Progress Report on the Impeachment move dated January 9, 2026, stressed that the impeachment process was still on course despite rumours to the contrary.

The Assembly’s request, on Friday January 16, 2026, for the Rivers State Chief Judge, Simon C. Amadi, to constitute a seven-man panel to probe Fubara and Odu, met a brick wall as he declined the request, citing a subsisting court order.

Amadi, had on Thursday January 22, 2026, argued that he was restrained by a subsisting High Court order from taking any further action.

In separate court processes, Fubara and Odu challenged the impeachment process and secured injunctions from a Port Harcourt High Court restraining the Chief Judge from acting on the Assembly’s request.

It is not clear if this is the last time an action would be launched to oust Gov Fubara who has already suffered one suspension. Most observers say they now rely on the Wike declaration that the crisis was over.