A political crisis is boiling in Rivers State as the House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Making the move on Monday, 24 of the 32 assembly members at the plenary signed the impeachment notice and ordered its clerk to serve it to the governor. 

The assembly members led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who are said to be allies of the immediate past governor and now minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had earlier suspended the majority leader, Ehie Edison, who reportedly blocked the impeachment moves.

The actions unfolded during an unplanned session convened by the lawmakers on Monday morning between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The plenary proceedings were unusually conducted in secrecy, with reporters prevented from attending. 

However, Mr Fubara, in an address to his supporters at the assembly complex, challenged the lawmakers to “come out and tell Rivers people the offence I have committed to warrant any impeachment, adding, “At the appropriate time, I will address the press.”

Mr Fubara’s offence, which necessitated the impeachment proceeding, is yet to be disclosed by the assembly. 

The developments came after Sunday night’s partial burning of the assembly complex. However, it is unclear if the crisis in the state is connected with the rumoured political rift between Messrs Fubara and Wike.