Storytimes Newspapers

  In the escalating political crisis rocking Rivers State, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating efforts to have their constituents recall them from office, rather than engaging in genuine dialogue for resolution. The allegation surfaced during a press briefing at the Assembly’s temporary legislative quarters along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Friday, January 16, 2026. Lawmaker Looloo Opuende, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency II, claimed that while some stakeholders and lawmakers were pushing for a political solution amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Fubara was allegedly working behind the scenes. “While stakeholders and some lawmakers were making efforts to find a political solution to the crisis, the governor was working behind the scenes to induce their constituents to initiate their recall from the House,” Opuende stated. “Fubara was allegedly paying cons...

  The lawmakers, during a press briefing held in Port Harcourt on Friday, insisted that the process is strictly constitutional and not driven by ethnic considerations. They accused the governor of gross misconduct, including unauthorized expenditures, failure to present the 2026 budget for proper legislative scrutiny, extra-budgetary spending, and actions that undermine the legislature, such as the alleged demolition of the state Assembly complex. This development comes amid fluctuating support within the House. The impeachment process was initially initiated on January 8, 2026, when the Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, served notices of gross misconduct to both the governor and his deputy. However, earlier this week, some lawmakers had publicly withdrawn their backing, calling for political dialogue and amicable resolution to avert further instability in the state. In a dramatic turnaround, four lawmakers who had previously advocated for a peaceful settlement made a U-t...