The political crisis in Rivers State escalated dramatically on Monday as the State Assembly reportedly signed an impeachment notice against Governor Siminalaye Fubara.
The impeachment proceedings took place in an early morning session chaired by Speaker Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule, during which the Leader of the House, Hon Edison Ehie, was removed, and lawmakers loyal to the governor were suspended by the Assembly.
The situation in the Assembly was tense, with lawmakers arriving as early as 7 a.m. to commence plenary and sign the impeachment notice. This move follows an explosion that occurred in the Assembly on Sunday night, suspected by some to be an attempt to prevent lawmakers from accessing the Assembly on Monday.
Adding to the turmoil, armed policemen barricaded Moscow Road leading to the Rivers State House of Assembly, intensifying security measures amid the political unrest.
In a separate development, Governor Fubara reportedly dismissed his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, and the Chief Security Officer of the Government House, Promise Wosu. Both Amadi and Wosu were perceived as loyalists of former Governor and Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, further indicating the deepening political divisions within the state government. The situation remains fluid, with tensions high and the political landscape in Rivers State in a state of uncertainty.