The political landscape in Rivers State, has been marked by ongoing tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
This rift escalated in early January 2026 when 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaehwule and largely aligned with Wike, adopted an impeachment notice against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, on 8 January 2026.
The notice cited allegations of gross misconduct, constitutional violations, and financial impropriety.
However, in a notable shift, four of these lawmakers, initially signatories to the notice, have since withdrawn their support, advocating for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to avert further instability in the state.
The development, occurring over two days in mid-January 2026, has weakened the momentum of the impeachment process and highlighted internal divisions within the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly.
All four lawmakers are members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and were elected to the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.
Their constituencies span diverse regions of the state, reflecting a mix of ethnic and geographic interests. Below is a detailed background on each lawmaker, including their roles, electoral history, and reasons for withdrawing from the impeachment.
1. Hon. Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo
Hon. Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo serves as the minority leader of the Rivers State.
He secured his seat in the 2023 elections under the PDP banner, defeating candidates from other parties.
Nwankwo has been a vocal figure in the Assembly, often emphasizing the need for political stability. On 12 January 2026, alongside Hon. Peter Abbey, he publicly announced his withdrawal from the impeachment process during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
He cited interventions from respected stakeholders within and outside Rivers State, stating that while the governor and deputy had breached constitutional provisions, peace should take precedence over escalation.
Nwankwo urged his colleagues to explore alternative resolutions to the crisis, underscoring the potential distraction from governance duties.
2. Hon. Peter Enemeneya Abbey
Representing the Degema Constituency, Hon. Peter Enemeneya Abbey is another PDP member elected in 2023.
His constituency, located in the Rivers West Senatorial District, includes coastal communities with interests in oil and gas, environmental issues, and local development.
Abbey has maintained a relatively low public profile compared to some peers but has been involved in Assembly proceedings.
He joined Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo in withdrawing support on 12 January 2026, appealing for leniency and a suspension of the impeachment to allow for dialogue.
Like Nwankwo, Abbey referenced appeals from influential figures as a key factor in his decision, emphasizing that the stability of Rivers State must supersede partisan conflicts.
3. Hon. Barile Nwakoh
Hon. Barile Nwakoh holds the position of Deputy Minority Leader and represents Khana Constituency I in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Elected on the PDP platform in 2023, Nwakoh’s area is part of the Ogoni ethnic region, known for its history of environmental activism and oil-related challenges.
On 14 January 2026, Nwakoh, along with Hon. Emilia Amadi, held a press briefing to announce their withdrawal from the impeachment.
They claimed the decision followed numerous calls and appeals from constituents and leaders, warning that pursuing the impeachment could heighten political tension and hinder legislative progress.
Nwakoh, described as a loyalist to Wike in earlier reports, called for caution and a political solution to the crisis.
4. Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi
Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi represents Obio/Akpor Constituency II, which is notably the local government area of Nyesom Wike.
As a PDP member elected in 2023, Amadi’s constituency is urban and densely populated, with strong ties to Wike’s political base. She has been one of the few female voices in the Assembly, focusing on issues related to governance and community development.
Amadi withdrew her support on 14 January 2026, alongside Hon. Barile Nwakoh, urging colleagues to halt the process for the sake of peace.
She echoed concerns about potential distractions from state priorities and advocated for dialogue, noting interventions from well-meaning individuals as influential in her stance.
Reasons for withdrawal
The four lawmakers have consistently cited appeals from stakeholders, the need for political stability, and the avoidance of further tension as primary reasons for their change of position.
Their actions represent a crack in the unity of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, reducing the effective support for impeachment to 23 and raising questions about the process’s viability, as a two-thirds majority (at least 22 members in a 32-seat Assembly) is required to impeach.
This shift has been interpreted as a setback for Wike’s influence and a potential opening for reconciliation in Rivers State’s protracted political feud.
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