The Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM) has condemned the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, describing the process as politically motivated, greed-driven, and lacking constitutional basis.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, High Chief (Hon.) Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, also widely known as Egberipapa, said the impeachment move by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a direct attack on democracy and the collective will of Rivers people.
Jackrich, who addressed the media on behalf of the Rivers Grassroots Movement—a coalition of concerned citizens—said the allegations against Governor Fubara were “malicious, misleading and deliberately framed to destabilise governance in the state.”
He dismissed claims that the governor failed to present the 2025 and 2026 budgets, stressing that the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill was lawfully transmitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly and passed into law on June 25, 2025, during the period of emergency governance in the state.
According to him, Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly allows a governor to authorise expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund where a new budget has not been passed, for a period not exceeding six months. He added that the existing budget remains valid into 2026, making accusations of constitutional breach “legally untenable.”
Jackrich further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of acting in bad faith, noting that lawmakers embarked on recess in December 2025, only to reconvene abruptly in January 2026 with impeachment as their first order of business.
He also rejected allegations of financial misconduct against Governor Fubara over the approval of a ₦100,000 bonus for lawmakers, describing the claims as hypocritical, especially when legislators allegedly received far larger financial benefits during the emergency rule period without raising constitutional concerns.
The RGM spokesperson accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating the political crisis in Rivers State, alleging that the impeachment plot is part of a broader agenda to undermine the governor for personal political ambition.
Jackrich warned that continued political tension could disrupt governance, stall development projects, and threaten stability in the state. He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene by calling those allegedly behind the crisis to order.
Reaffirming the group’s support for the current administration, Jackrich declared a vote of confidence in Governor Fubara and his deputy, praising their calm leadership and commitment to grassroots development despite sustained political pressure.
He therefore concluded by urging Governor Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, insisting that Rivers State deserves peace, continuity, and democratic stability.
