RIVERS ASSEMBLY WITHDRAWS APPEALS AGAINST GOVERNOR FUBARA DEPUTY

RIVERS ASSEMBLY WITHDRAWS APPEALS AGAINST GOVERNOR FUBARA, DEPUTY
The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally withdrawn appeal suits it filed against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and suspended impeachment proceedings against them moves that signal a de‑escalation of a protracted political crisis in the oil‑rich state after presidential intervention and fresh constitutional undertakings. The resolution to withdraw the appeals filed at the Court of Appeal over disputes regarding alleged misappropriation and misconduct was adopted on Thursday during a plenary session in Port Harcourt, chaired by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. According to lawmakers, the decision followed high‑level discussions with President Bola Tinubu on 8 February 2026, during which mutual agreements were reached aimed at restoring political stability and adherence to constitutional norms in the state.
As part of that accord:

• The Assembly withdrew its Appeal Nos. CA/PH/3/2026 and CA/PH/32/2026 at the Court of Appeal.
• Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu also filed Notices of Discontinuance for their suits OYHC/6/CS/2026 and OYHC/7/CS/2026 challenging aspects of the impeachment process.
• All impeachment proceedings initiated earlier this year have been halted indefinitely. The impeachment movement, launched on 8 January 2026, was predicated on allegations of gross misconduct including controversial demolition of the State Assembly Complex, unilateral spending without legislative approval and purported constitutional breaches which had deepened divisions between the legislature and the governor’s executive arm, as well as between political factions aligned with Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
  In line with the agreements, lawmakers and the state executive have pledged to abide by constitutional provisions and state laws, with the expectation that the governor and his deputy will refrain from actions deemed to undermine the rule of law. Speaker Amaewhule expressed optimism that the withdrawal of legal suits and suspension of impeachment moves will foster peace, legislative productivity and political stability in Rivers State. The latest development was welcomed by some political analysts as a significant breakthrough that could end months of governance paralysis and enable both the Assembly and the executive to refocus on policy, oversight and development issues. Proponents of the resolution say it creates space for dialogue, constitutional order and improved cooperation between the two arms of government.