Governor Fubara
Senior figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including governors and federal officials, have stepped in to calm rising political tensions in Rivers State following a fresh impeachment notice issued against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday issued a seven-day notice accusing the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct, marking a renewed escalation in the protracted power struggle in the oil-rich state.
APC, Presidency Seek Political Solution
Multiple sources confirmed that high-level efforts are underway to find a “political solution” and avert another round of instability.
“The Presidency is being briefed, and key APC leaders are already reaching out to both the governor and the FCT minister,” a senior political source disclosed, adding that President Bola Tinubu is expected to intervene.
Assembly Cites Budget, Spending Allegations
At plenary presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly accused Governor Fubara of refusing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill and engaging in extra-budgetary spending. Lawmakers listed seven allegations, including demolition of the Assembly complex, withholding funds meant for the legislature, and disobedience of Supreme Court rulings on financial autonomy.
The deputy governor was also accused of reckless spending, obstructing legislative duties, and approving government actions without Assembly consent.
Amaewhule described the governor as a “threat to democracy” and insisted that impeachment proceedings would continue, noting that Rivers was allegedly the only state yet to present a 2026 budget.
APC in Rivers Rejects Impeachment
However, the Rivers APC faction aligned with former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi rejected the impeachment move, warning against importing internal PDP disputes into the ruling party.
The party argued that a ₦1.485 trillion budget transmitted by President Tinubu during the emergency rule in 2025 remains valid until August 2026, adding that the constitution permits a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year.
Youths, Women, Rights Groups Raise Alarm
Several groups warned that the impeachment could destabilise the state. The Ijaw Youths Council, South-South Youths Initiative, women groups, and the Civil Liberties Organisation all cautioned against turning impeachment into a political weapon.
They urged dialogue, restraint, and respect for due process, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed to elite power struggles.
Calls for Wike’s Removal
Meanwhile, NADECO-USA called on President Tinubu to sack Wike as FCT minister, blaming him for the crisis and warning that continued instability could undermine democracy and security.
Background
The crisis stems from a bitter fallout between Fubara and his political benefactor, Wike, shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023. The rift has fractured the legislature, stalled governance, and triggered repeated impeachment threats.
Fubara’s recent defection from the PDP to the APC in December 2025 has further reshaped the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, positioning him as the APC’s leading figure in Rivers State.
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