In a significant development amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Port Harcourt, has granted an interim injunction restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly from proceeding with impeachment steps against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The ruling, delivered by Justice F.A. Fiberesima on Friday following ex parte motions in two separate suits filed by the governor (Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026) and his deputy (Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026), bars the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, the Clerk of the House, and other defendants from forwarding any resolution, articles of impeachment, or related documents to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.

The court also specifically restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, considering, forwarding, or acting on any such communications for the purpose of constituting a seven-member investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and deputy.

The interim order is effective for seven days, pending the hearing of the substantive motion, adjourned to January 23, 2026.

This judicial intervention comes hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly, during its plenary on Friday, unanimously resolved to press ahead with the impeachment process.

The lawmakers formally requested the Chief Judge to set up the panel, insisting the move was in line with constitutional provisions despite earlier withdrawals and reversals by some members.

The impeachment proceedings were initiated on January 8, 2026, with the Assembly citing alleged gross misconduct by Fubara and Odu, including issues related to the demolition of the Assembly complex and unauthorized spending.

The process has seen fluctuations, with four lawmakers initially withdrawing support in favor of dialogue before some reversed their stance.

The Assembly has reportedly dismissed the court order, arguing that the judiciary lacks the power to intervene in legislative impeachment processes under the constitution.

The ruling provides temporary relief to Governor Fubara amid heightened tensions in the oil-rich state, where the political rift has drawn national attention.

The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for the next court date.

The former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to his son’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, , saying ” It’s his personal choice.”

Atiku’s son, Abba Abubakar, defected from the PDP to the ruling APC, and pledged to work for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Reacting in a statement, Atiku said: “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal.

“In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect. As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.

“What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.

“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”

In a surprising development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, popularly known as Abba and son of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly in Abuja, where Abba was warmly received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East zone, including the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu.

Abba, who founded the political platform Haske Atiku Organisation in 2022 to support his father’s 2023 presidential bid, declared his resignation from the PDP as a personal and historic decision. He cited his conviction in the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin and the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as key factors influencing his move.

“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC,” he stated.

He further pledged full commitment to mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition in 2027, directing all coordinators and members of his former organization to immediately align with the APC and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” Abba added.

In a symbolic high point of the event, the Haske Atiku Organisation was officially renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signaling a complete realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Welcoming the defector, Senator Barau described the move as bold, wise, and principled, noting that Abba — who had been monitoring developments from the United States — was impressed by the Tinubu administration’s reforms.

“You have taken a decision based on ideology. You did not come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology, and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau remarked.

APC National Vice Chairman (North-East) Comrade Mustapha Salihu hailed the defection as symbolic and reflective of “politics without borders,” assuring Abba of equal opportunities within the party. A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, welcomed him as a “homecoming,” stating, “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father.

Your decision guarantees a future in this party.

“Abba’s political structure and grassroots network are seen by APC leaders as a significant boost to the party’s consolidation efforts in the North ahead of 2027.

The development comes amid ongoing realignments in Nigerian politics, with the APC positioning itself strongly for continuity and the opposition grappling with internal dynamics.