The political temperature in Rivers State has soared to a new high as a prominent civil society organization has called for the immediate resignation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The call comes amidst revived impeachment proceedings initiated by the state's House of Assembly.
Impeachment Proceedings and the Call for Resignation
The National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD) issued a strong statement on Saturday, January 10, 2026, advising Governor Fubara to step down. The group's spokesperson, Comrade Wisdom Abah, signed the statement, which was a direct reaction to the unfolding political drama in Port Harcourt.
This development follows the resumption of plenary by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday, January 8. During the session, the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, presented an impeachment notice against the governor. The notice, reportedly signed by 26 out of the 27 members of the House, listed eight allegations of gross misconduct.
A central accusation is that Governor Fubara has refused to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the legislature, an act the lawmakers view as a direct undermining of their constitutional powers.
Alleged Disrespect to President Tinubu and Breach of Peace Deal
The NVATD anchored its call for resignation on what it described as Governor Fubara's flagrant disrespect for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group accused the governor of reneging on a peace agreement previously brokered by the President in June and September of 2025.
"Let it be known to the whole world that, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is solely responsible for the political unrest that is currently befalling Rivers State," the group's statement read. It emphasized that the governor's refusal to honour the Tinubu-brokered deal has invited unnecessary anarchy into the state's governance.
The pro-democracy body further criticized the governor for statements he allegedly made during a BBC interview, where he was quoted as boasting about the assembly's dependence on him. "We saw his outing on BBC where he was boasting that there was no Assembly without him. He claimed he gave them existence and he could as well de-recognize them," the NVATD statement recounted.
No Going Back, Say Lawmakers
In a related development, the State Assembly has shown a firm resolve to proceed with the impeachment. The Assembly's spokesperson, Enemi George, in an interview with TVC on January 8, stated there was no going back on the move to remove the governor.
George indicated that President Tinubu's intervention would only be effective if the nation's constitution was changed, a condition that highlights the assembly's determination. He accused Governor Fubara of repeating the same errors despite previous presidential interventions.
The NVATD concluded that resignation is the most honorable path for Governor Fubara, stating, "The most honourable thing for the Governor to do now, is to just resign, before it is too late." They listed his alleged refusal to grant autonomy to the Assembly and Local Governments, alongside unpaid debts to lawmakers, as actions that not only insult democracy but also show contempt for President Tinubu.
