An independent civic watchdog has said the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, do not meet constitutional requirements for removal from office.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Good Governance Advocacy Centre (GGAC) said its 72-hour review of the impeachment notice and accompanying claims found no evidence of gross misconduct capable of sustaining impeachment under the constitution.
The statement, signed by Dr Zaccheus Ocha, GGAC’s country representative, said the organisation conducted a legal, procedural and factual assessment of the issues raised by the Rivers State House of Assembly and concluded that the notice did not satisfy constitutional thresholds.
According to the group, the allegations cited in the impeachment letter were either unsupported by verifiable facts or related to matters within the lawful discretion of the executive arm.
“The Good Governance Advocacy Centre has concluded, after a 72-hour independent review, that there is no act of gross misconduct established against Governor Siminalayi Fubara or his deputy,” the statement said.
The organisation noted that its review examined the text of the impeachment notice, relevant constitutional provisions, financial documents referenced by lawmakers and public actions of the executive since the administration’s inauguration.
None of the issues raised, it said, met the standard of grave violation required by Section 188 of the constitution.
GGAC also linked the development to the broader political tension in the state, noting that the current situation reflects lingering disagreements between political stakeholders.
“The pattern of events in Rivers State suggests that the impeachment proceedings are not occurring in a political vacuum,” the group said, adding that the atmosphere reflects efforts by various actors to assert influence within state institutions.
The organisation said that the impeachment appeared to be used in a manner capable of intensifying tensions.
It cautioned that using the removal process in this way could undermine democratic stability, both within the state and nationally.
GGAC further noted that several issues listed in the allegations related to administrative decisions that fall within the governor’s lawful authority, adding that no court order had been contravened and no criminal infraction established.
It also questioned the pace of the proceedings, stating that the timeline raised concerns about due process, adequate response time and the appearance of a predetermined outcome.
“The rush to impeachment, without sincere effort at dialogue or reconciliation, reinforces the conclusion that the process is punitive rather than corrective,” the statement said.
The group warned that continuing along the current path could lead to prolonged instability and distract from governance priorities in the oil-producing state.
It called on lawmakers to suspend the proceedings and pursue dialogue, urging political leaders, elders and civil society organisations to help prevent what it described as an avoidable constitutional dispute.
GGAC also urged national democratic institutions to monitor developments closely, stressing that impeachment processes should be guided solely by constitutional provisions.
The group said it will release its full analytical report to lawmakers, stakeholders and the public to support transparency and adherence to due process.
