Resign Now; Group Knocks Fubara For Disrespecting Tinubu
A pro-democracy and accountability group has called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to honourably resign amid an ongoing impeachment process initiated by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The call comes as 26 out of the 27 lawmakers in the Assembly have reportedly signed an impeachment notice against the governor. The notice was formally presented during plenary on Thursday by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, who represents Akuku-Toru I Constituency.
While reading the notice, Jack outlined eight allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara. These include the demolition of the Assembly complex, engagement in unapproved budgetary expenditures, withholding funds meant for the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature, and the alleged seizure of the salaries of the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, among others.
The lawmakers also accused the governor of refusing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House, an action they described as a deliberate attempt to undermine the constitutional powers of the legislature.
Reacting to the development on Saturday, the National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), through a statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Wisdom Abah, blamed Governor Fubara for the political crisis in the state. The group alleged that the governor’s failure to adhere to a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has worsened tensions in Rivers State.
“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. It does not take him anything to go back to the drawing board and follow the peace agreement he entered into in June and September 2025 for the interest of the entire people of Rivers,” the group stated.
NVATD further criticized the governor and his deputy for failing to present the 2026 budget, describing it as a clear disregard for democratic institutions. According to the group, Governor Fubara’s alleged neglect of the State House of Assembly and refusal to honour commitments made during the peace process supervised by President Tinubu could ultimately cost him his position.
“The most honourable thing for the governor to do now is to resign before it is too late. He is reportedly the only governor in Nigeria yet to present the 2026 budget to the State Assembly. This shows a lack of regard for lawmakers, who are not part of the executive but a critical arm of government,” the statement said.
The group also referenced comments allegedly made by Governor Fubara during a BBC interview, where he was said to have claimed that the Assembly owed its existence to him and could be de-recognized at his discretion. NVATD described such remarks as dangerous to democratic governance, stressing the need for a clear distinction between personal relationships and constitutional responsibilities.
According to the group, the governor’s refusal to grant full autonomy to the Assembly and local governments, as well as his alleged failure to settle outstanding obligations to lawmakers as agreed in the peace deal, amounts to a disrespect for democracy, the legislature, and President Tinubu.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government has not issued an official response to the impeachment notice or the calls for Governor Fubara’s resignation.
