The political temperature in Rivers State has soared dramatically as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, launched a scathing attack on Governor Sim Fubara, labeling him a colossal error for the state.
A Scathing Indictment During Impeachment Proceedings
During a crucial session of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, January 8, 2026, Speaker Martins Amaewhule did not mince words. He directly accused Governor Sim Fubara of gross incompetence and dereliction of duty. The Speaker's fiery comments were made in the context of ongoing impeachment proceedings against the governor, signaling a deepening rift within the state's leadership.
Amaewhule stated emphatically that Rivers State has never experienced governance as poor as the current administration. He centered his criticism on the governor's persistent failure to present the state's budget for the 2026 fiscal year, a fundamental responsibility of his office.
The Core of the Accusation: A Missing Budget
The Speaker's primary grievance hinges on the 2026 appropriation bill. Amaewhule argued that Governor Fubara has had ample time to prepare and present the budget but has deliberately chosen not to do so. This inaction, according to the Speaker, is a clear sign of the governor's unwillingness to govern effectively.
"The governor does not want to present any budget because if he wanted to, he would have done it all this while," Amaewhule declared. He underscored the gravity of the situation by placing Rivers State in a national context of shame. The Speaker revealed that Governor Sim Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu are the only two sub-national office holders in the entire country who have failed to present their 2026 appropriation bills.
This comparison was used to hammer home the point that Rivers State is an outlier in poor administrative practice under Fubara's watch. The repeated declaration, "Sim Fubara is a mistake, a mistake. Rivers state has never had it this bad," captured the depth of the legislative arm's frustration.
Implications for Governance and Political Stability
This public denunciation by the head of the legislative house signifies a severe breakdown in the relationship between the executive and the legislature in Rivers State. Such a conflict paralyzes governance, as crucial approvals, including the budget needed for development projects and public services, cannot be passed.
The fact that these statements were made during formal impeachment proceedings indicates that the move to remove Governor Fubara is gaining serious momentum. It frames the governor's alleged refusal to present the budget not as a minor administrative lapse, but as a cardinal failure justifying removal from office.
The situation leaves the people of Rivers State in a precarious position, caught in a high-stakes power struggle that threatens to stall governance and development. The outcome of this impeachment process will have significant ramifications for the state's political future and stability.
