Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara says he has not received any formal notification of impeachment, three days after a bloc of 27 lawmakers in the State House of Assembly announced proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The claim, confirmed by a senior Government House source on Monday, comes as signs of division begin to surface within the Assembly, with two lawmakers publicly urging a pause to the process.

The impeachment move, initiated last Thursday by legislators aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was anchored on allegations of misconduct. Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule had earlier stated that the notice would be duly delivered to the governor. However, according to officials close to the executive, no such correspondence has arrived.

A Government House source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said neither the governor nor his deputy had sighted any impeachment notice as of Monday evening. The source noted that Fubara returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and attended activities marking Armed Forces Remembrance Day, before resuming official duties.

The source added that the governor had since been engaged with ongoing state projects, stressing that no formal communication from the Assembly had been received or acknowledged. Under Nigeria’s constitution, the service of an impeachment notice is a critical procedural step, and any delay or dispute over that process could become a focal point if the matter escalates legally.

Meanwhile, cracks have emerged among the lawmakers backing the impeachment. Two members of the House on Monday called on their colleagues to suspend the process and pursue dialogue instead. Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, who represents Omuma State Constituency, said the appeal was driven by interventions from elders and political leaders within and outside Rivers State.

Nwankwo urged the Assembly to exercise restraint and consider alternatives to impeachment, even while acknowledging alleged constitutional infractions by the governor and his deputy. He described the move as an appeal to conscience, emphasizing the need for mercy and political maturity in resolving the crisis.

Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, echoed the call, describing impeachment as a step that should be approached with caution. Abbey said lawmakers must balance constitutional responsibilities with a humane approach, adding that the governor also bears responsibility for easing tensions by avoiding further constitutional breaches.

The political tension has played out alongside recent political activity by Wike, who concluded a thank-you tour of Rivers State local government areas on Sunday before returning to Abuja on a private jet. Notably, the tour did not include Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the home council of Governor Fubara. No official explanation was given for the omission.

An All Progressives Congress chieftain from the area, speaking anonymously, said Wike’s absence from Opobo was deliberate, citing the charged political atmosphere. The source claimed that turnout was also sparse during the minister’s visit to neighbouring Bonny Local Government Area, reflecting underlying local sentiments amid the ongoing rift. Wike, however, wrapped up the tour in his own Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where a rally at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, reportedly drew a large crowd and caused traffic congestion along Aba Road and the Rumuola axis.

Beyond party politics, regional elders have stepped in. The Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum has set up a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate the Rivers State crisis. The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), with former Edo North senator Obende Domingo as vice chairman. Other members include former Housing Minister Chief Essien Nduese, retired federal permanent secretary Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, former DSS Director Chief Mike Ejiofor, former Cross River State Attorney-General Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN), and PANDEF Deputy National Secretary Prince Godwin Okotie.

PANDEF’s leadership said the intervention aligns with its long-standing role in conflict resolution across the Niger Delta. In a joint statement signed by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah, and PANDEF National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Igali, the forum described the Rivers situation as disturbing and warned of the wider implications for regional stability.

The group urged all parties to embrace dialogue, stressing that Rivers State’s economic and strategic importance makes prolonged instability risky for the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. While expressing regret that the dispute had escalated to impeachment proceedings, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, and other stakeholders for ongoing efforts to calm tensions.

As the standoff continues, the absence of a formally acknowledged impeachment notice and the emergence of dissenting voices within the Assembly suggest the process may face both political and procedural hurdles. Whether dialogue prevails over confrontation could determine not only the fate of the impeachment bid, but also the near-term stability of Rivers State governance.