Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought (CORSLOT) has strongly condemned the latest impeachment notice issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, describing it as an act of political witch-hunt, banditry and a blatant abuse of constitutional processes.
In a press release signed and issued in Port Harcourt on January 10, 2026 by High Chief Sunnie Chukumele and His Highness O.R. Osundu, Chairman and secretary respectively of the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought, the group said recent political developments had vindicated its earlier position that the much-touted peace between contending political forces in the state was merely “the peace of the graveyard.”
According to the coalition, the impeachment allegations—ranging from reckless and unconstitutional expenditure to misappropriation of funds and obstruction of legislative duties—are spurious and politically motivated.
The group noted that this is the third impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara, adding that the inclusion of the deputy governor this time clearly exposes a “sinister motive.”
The leaders accused the House of Assembly of serially abusing the Constitution since its inauguration in 2023, arguing that lawmakers have repeatedly betrayed the oath they swore to uphold in service of Rivers people and Nigeria at large.
They further alleged that the Assembly has openly aligned itself with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, whom they claimed had publicly admitted to sponsoring the legislators’ elections.
According to the group, this relationship casts serious doubts on the independence and legitimacy of the Assembly and confirms that its actions are driven by external political interests rather than the welfare of Rivers State.
The coalition also accused the lawmakers of complicity in events that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, recalling how the governor was allegedly barred from accessing the Assembly complex and rebuffed in subsequent attempts at reconciliation. In contrast, the group noted, the legislators reportedly maintain regular meetings with a minister who holds no constitutional office within the state government.
Expressing concern over the Assembly’s post-emergency conduct, the leaders criticised lawmakers for demanding the submission of commissioner nominees and the 2025 budget, despite being aware that the budget had already been passed by the National Assembly during the emergency period and remains valid until July 2026. They described the demand as unconstitutional and indicative of “selective amnesia.”
The group warned that the persistent political hostility in Rivers State is damaging investor confidence, with critical investment decisions being delayed or diverted elsewhere due to instability allegedly fuelled by what it termed a “grandstanding legislature.”
Calling for restraint, the coalition urged members of the House of Assembly to embrace peace and constructive engagement with the executive arm of government in the interest of effective governance. It stressed that any legislative action must strictly comply with the provisions and spirit of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
The leaders also appealed to the judiciary to remain vigilant, neutral and firm amid the escalating conflict between the executive and legislative arms of government.
In its closing remarks, the coalition commended groups such as the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum for speaking out on the crisis.
It also directed a pointed message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the political turmoil in Rivers State could have been avoided if earlier appeals to rein in the Minister of the FCT had been heeded.
“This brigandry would have stopped, and our state would have made progress in a peaceful atmosphere,” the statement said.
