The Rivers state house of assembly has addressed Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, as “madam”.
On Thursday, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house.
Thereafter, Martin Amaewhule, the speaker, said the notice of gross misconduct would be served on the governor within the next seven days, as required by law.
The state assembly later served Fubara with the notice of gross misconduct but addressed him as “madam”.
The letter dated January 8, 2026, was signed by Amaewhule.
The letter
In the letter, the speaker informed Fubara that the notice of allegations had been submitted pursuant to section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the impeachment of a governor.
“I received a copy of the Notice of allegations of gross misconduct dated 5th January 2026 and brought against you by twenty-six (26) members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the letter reads.
“Pursuant to section 188 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I hereby forward to you a copy of the said Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct received by me on the 8th day of January 2026.”
The speaker requested that the governor respond to the allegations in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing such proceedings.
The same letter was also addressed to Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor, who was correctly referred to as madam.
The political crisis in Rivers state intensified last month after the assembly accused the governor of unauthorised spending.
Most of the Rivers lawmakers are loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is campaigning against Fubara’s re-election.
Wike had accused Fubara of reneging on the peace agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers, paving the way for his return to office.
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