Rivers lawmakers adamant as stakeholders move to stop Fubara’s impeachment
The 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly seeking the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara declared yesterday that they were pressing ahead with their plan just as the apex socio-political organization in the South-South , Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) activated a high-powered machinery to stop the plot.
The lawmakers,in an update,said the impeachment process “ is fully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“The two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House while we await their responses,” Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi Alabo George said.
He was reacting to speculations on social media that the process had been halted or discontinued.
He said the false narratives were designed to “cause disaffection between the House and well-meaning Nigerians.”
“We remain committed to our constitutional duties and would not be dissuaded by cheap blackmail or threats from those who do not mean well for our country’s nascent democracy,” he said and thanked the people of Rivers State for “their prayers and encouragement and express our gratitude to all stakeholders and leaders at all levels and use this medium to extend our warm regards to all democrats who believe in the Nigerian project.”
PANDEF leaders -King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass and first military governor of the old Rivers State ; Obong Victor Attah, former Governor, Akwa Ibom State and Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali- set up a seven member reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis between the Governor and the assembly members.
The committee is chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation ,Chief Kanu Agabi, (SAN).
Other members of the committee are Senator Obende Domingo (former Senator, Edo North) – Vice Chairman; Chief Essien Nduese, a former Minister of Housing; Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari.a retired Federal Permanent Secretaryy; Chief Mike Ejiofor, a retired director of the Department of State Service);Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN), a former Attorney-General of Cross River State; and Prince Godwin Okotie, Secretary.
PANDEF expressed concern over the Thursday announcement by Rivers State Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule of moves to impeach the governor and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu for alleged gross misconduct..
The group said theit was imperative to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order in the state.
It said its concern stemmed from “the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers State to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole.”
It added: “In keeping with its non-partisan posture and its overarching role as a unifying and motherly platform for the region, PANDEF calls on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe the sword and embrace peace, guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity. All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development, and the welfare of the people of Rivers State, as well as the interests of other citizens of the South-South, Nigerians at large, and the sizeable expatriate community resident in the State. We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state.”
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the State.
It asked all parties to fully cooperate with “this distinguished and highly respected team of senior Nigerians and sons and daughters of the South-South zone, as they selflessly commit their time and experience to this arduous assignment, with the objective of achieving a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution through a dispassionate and inclusive process.”
The Nation gathered yesterday that some other eminent Nigerians from Rivers State and groups had either stepped in or were in the process of brokering peace between Gov.Fubara,the assemblymen and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike,the estranged godfather of the governor.
The governor himself is said to be out of the country.
There has been no official response from him to the impeachment notice or the allegations leveled at him by the assemblymen.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the political family of governor yesterday kicked against the impeachment threat.
The INC in a statement signed by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment move, describing it as a grave threat to democracy, peace, and stability in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.
“This is the third of such attempt since 2023, revealing a relentless cycle of political vendetta that must be broken.
We stand firmly with the people of Rivers State and all defenders of constitutional order in rejecting this dangerous gambit”, Okaba said.
He said the INC framed the crisis not merely as an Ijaw issue, but as a fundamental test for and threat to the country’s democracy, insisting that “is not a matter of the Ijaw nation but of democracy”.
Okaba said: “The allegations presented by the Assembly, including matters of budgetary spending and gubernatorial appointments, are governance issues that can and must be resolved within the framework of law and due process, not through the weaponization of impeachment.
“This impeachment threat, no doubt, follows the collapse of a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, aimed at resolving the feud between Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“The Assembly’s notice cites Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. However, the speed and context of this process raise questions about its adherence to the spirit of fairness and its use as a political tool rather than a genuine check on executive power.
“The INC’s stance is also echoed by persons across the political spectrum, including within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who have also called for the impeachment to be dropped”.
Okaba asked President Tinubu to act decisively as the father of the nation, appealing to the President to uphold constitutional democracy by using his authority and office to defend the constitutional order in Rivers.
He urged the President to ensure absolute neutrality and fairness, adding that the peace and economic stability of the Niger Delta, hinged on the federal government being perceived as an honest broker.
Okaba said the President should curb all agents of instability and safeguard federal allocations to Rivers.
He said: “In this tense period, the INC urges and strongly advises all Ijaw people and residents of Rivers State to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and resolute. Do not be provoked into any action that could lead to violence or the destruction of property.
Okaba urged the stakeholders to stand for democratic principles by channeling their energies into peaceful civic engagement, support lawful advocacy and defend democratic institutions.
He said: “The legitimate development projects initiated by the state government must not be sacrificed on the altar of politics. We encourage all stakeholders to return to the path of genuine dialogue. The previous suspensions and state of emergency have not yielded lasting peace. Only an inclusive, good-faith dialogue can secure a sustainable future for the state.
Okaba rallied Ijaw people across the world to defend what he described as brotherhood in Rivers State and elsewhere in similar circumstances.
He said: “Ijaws and other ethnic nationalities and lovers of democracy globally must rise to the occasion now in defence of the Right of the PEOPLE, to good governance, orderliness and peaceful coexistence.
“The INC does passionately appeal and advise both the executive and the legistative arms of government in Rivers State to work together amicably and peacefully in the overall interest of the Masses in the State, who are, indeed entitled to peace and development, and not self-destruction or anarchy
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take all legitimate and constitutional steps necessary to ensure that the rights of the Ijaw people and all citizens of Rivers State are protected, and that democracy prevails over impunity”.
On its part,Fubara’s political family known as the Supreme Council for Sim (SCS) called the impeachment move illegal.
Speaking after an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, the leader of the group, Amb. Oji Ngofa said the reasons given for the impeachment has no legal basis.
“We all know that the governor transited the budget to the National Assembly which the fiscal life is still on. The Constitution allows for six months of grace into the new year. We don’t understand why impeachment was raised against the governor on the basis of the budget. It amounts to playing dangerous politics with the destiny of Rivers people.
“This state belongs to everyone and as a group we have resolved today to resist any attempt to continue to take Rivers for a ride. The state belongs to everyone. We have the right to our collective patrimony as Rivers people.
“We feel that what is going on has continued long enough and continue to insult the sensibilities of the people. We are not seeing any expression of the interest of Rivers man in what they are doing. What we are seeing is the attempt to appropriate our collective resources for self aggrandizement.
“The state wants to live in peace. We have analysed all the issues and we believe the impeachment move is illegal. Members of the APC in the assembly have no right to endorse the move when they have not consulted internally to solve the problem.
Fubara lacks capacity to win Rivers for Tinubu in 2027 - Rivers Deputy Chief Whip
The Eastern Zone of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in separate statements blamed Wike for the escalation of tension in the state.
They said while the June 2025 peace brokered by Presient Tinubu was widely welcomed as a necessary step towards reconciling warring factions and restoring harmony in the state “subsequent statements and activities attributed to Minister Wike have had the opposite effect, undermining the spirit and objectives of that agreement and reintroducing uncertainty into the political environment.”
They said Fubara as an indigene of the State and citizen of Nigeria reserves the right to seek a rerun in 2027 to complete his eight years constitutional right to Governor the State.
They vowed that nothing would stop him from contesting for governorship next year.
They said: “The Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council hereby affirm that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, as a bona fide Rivers citizen, retains the unrestricted right to contest any future election, including the 2027 governorship race, without coercion, intimidation, or political preconditions.
“No individual may arrogate to himself the power to determine the political destiny of Rivers State.
“We therefore call on Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to immediately de-escalate hostilities, cease all acts and statements capable of destabilizing Rivers State, and allow the peace accord facilitated by President Tinubu to take root in the interest of governance, democracy, and public order.”
Reviewing the situation in Rivers State yesterday,former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said only fasting and prayers could save Governor Fubara.
Fayose, a close ally of Wike advised Fubara to reconcile with Wike.
“Many prayers would be said to save Fubara. So many fasts and prayers would be the only thing that would save Fubara in this one,” Fayose said on Channels Television.
He accused Fubara of not keeping to the agreements he reached with Wike in Abuja.
The ex-Ekiti governor said Wike never envisaged that Fubara would betray him.
“I never knew this incident would happen between Governor Fubara and Governor Wike now. I was seated on the high table the day Fubara was sworn in. I told Wike I want to say one or two things to tell Governor Fubara not to betray you.
“He said, ‘I should not say it, he cannot do it.’ In my own usual way of telling people the truth, I came out and said ‘My brother, lock all the windows, don’t listen to people. This Wike are people that brought you, remain with them, don’t look for Wike’s trouble.’”
Wike seeks support for Tinubu, urges unity in Rivers
However, Wike in continuation of his ‘thank you tour of the state yesterday called for greater unity and collaboration among political leaders in Rivers State to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.
Wike,speaking in Andoni Local Government Area said the visit was to show appreciation to the people for their support for President Tinubu in the 2023 polls and to seek their backing for him in next year’s elections.
The former governor of Rivers State noted that major political parties in the state had united under what he described as a “Rainbow Coalition”.
He encouraged community leaders to continue working together in unity, urging them to present a united front to return Tinubu in 2027.
He said: “See what unity has done. It is no longer a time when one man will be the Iroko, where one man will decide what good will come to Andoni. By the special grace of God, by the unity of the leaders, more will come to Andoni.
“We don’t have a party in Rivers State. What we have is the Rainbow Coalition under the Renewed Hope Family.
“And so I want all of you to continue to play that role you played in 2023 by making sure we continue to support Ahmed Bola Tinubu. There’s no negotiation about that.”
Wike further stated that the local politics of the state would be discussed at a later time, noting, however, that the mistake made in 2023 would be corrected.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the council, Lucky Otuo, said the people were grateful for the minister’s visit to the community.
Otuo said: “Andoni people are grateful people. We are grateful to you. Your Excellency, come 2027, Andoni people will vote for Mr President.”
Fubara lacks capacity to win Rivers for Tinubu in 2027 – Rivers Deputy Chief Whip
Also speaking during the visit,the Deputy Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ofiks Kagbang said Governor Fubara lacks what it takes to win Rivers State for President Tinubu in 2027.
Kagbang said Wike saved the state from descending into crisis, adding that the state should not be allowed to return to what he described as “dark days.”
Kagbang pledged that the state,through the instrumentality of Wike, would vote for Tinubu .
He said:”the people that will deliver Tinubu are with Wike not with Fubara. Not those people at Government house. Andoni poeple are grateful people.
“Those that will deliver President Bola Tinubu in 2027 are with Wike.”
The Rivers State Assemblymen in their impeachment notice to the Governor claimed that he authorized, and approved withdrawal and expenditure of funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund without legislative appropriation.
“No appropriation bill of Rivers State has been presented nor has any such law been duly passed into law, as the purported presentation and passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill is void ab initio,” they alleged.
Fubara was accused of authorising and approving withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Account in 2024 without a duly passed appropriation law by the Assembly, contrary to Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution.
He was also said to have awarded contracts, including the construction of a new Rivers State House of Assembly complex, without legislative approval.
The lawmakers further alleged that the governor authorised withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2025, particularly between January and March, without a duly passed appropriation law by the Assembly.
They accused Fubara of violating Section 122 of the Constitution by authorising expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund even after the Assembly declared a shutdown of state expenditure through a House resolution.
The lawmakers said that on February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court restored a judgment of the Federal High Court, which confirmed that Fubara never presented any appropriation bill for 2024, did not have one for 2025, and ordered a shutdown of the state’s expenditures.
The governor was also accused of approving, sometime in September 2023, extra-budgetary expenditure of N5 billion for the Ogoni-Andoni Unity Road without appropriation.
The document further alleged that Fubara “approved and expended from the Consolidated Account an extra-budgetary fund of N4 billion and purported to have expended same on the Woji Refinery Road without appropriation,” among other claims.
In the case of the deputy governor,she was accused of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the House from performing its constitutional duties, and colluding to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy public offices without proper screening by the legislature.
She was also accused of seeking budgetary approval from an alternative group rather than the constitutionally recognised Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as withholding salaries and allowances due to lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission.
Both the governor and the deputy governor were given seven days to file their responses.
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