Tension Rises In Rivers As Ijaw Congress Warns Lawmakers Against Fubara’s Impeachment

Amid rising political tension in Rivers State, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and its youth affiliate, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have demanded an immediate halt to the impeachment process currently underway against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The two influential Ijaw groups raised the alarm on Thursday, warning that the move poses a serious threat to democracy and could destabilise the state. They stressed that the issue transcends ethnic interests and speaks directly to the protection of democratic governance.

Speaking on the development, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the impeachment bid should concern all proponents of democracy, recalling that a similar crisis had previously been resolved through a six-month suspension of the governor and his deputy.

“We have seen this scenario before. It was addressed through a temporary suspension, yet it has resurfaced again. The question is, why now?” Okaba asked.

He cautioned that persistent political rivalry was undermining effective governance in the oil-producing state, calling for calm, peace and political stability.

Shift Focus to Governance, IYC Tells Lawmakers

The Ijaw Youth Council, led by its President, Dr Alaye Theophilus, also urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to abandon impeachment plans and concentrate on governance and development.

According to Theophilus, Governor Fubara has committed no wrongdoing and has embarked on developmental projects across the state.

“This is not a time for political warfare. The governor is delivering on development, and governance should be the priority,” he said.

He further argued that Fubara should be allowed to complete his tenure without political interference, warning that sustained attacks on the administration would ultimately hurt the people of Rivers State. The IYC leader also accused some lawmakers of acting disloyally to President Bola Tinubu, advising that any allegations against the governor should be presented directly to the president rather than pursued through impeachment.

APC Factions Join Opposition

Opposition to the impeachment move has also emerged from within factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In a statement, Darlington Nwauju, spokesperson for the Emeka Beke-led APC faction, acknowledged the constitutional independence of the legislature but described the impeachment process as legally questionable.

Nwauju noted that the 2025 federal budget provides a framework permitting governors to spend within the first six months of the fiscal year, cautioning APC lawmakers against yielding to political pressures aimed at destabilising the state government.

Background to the Impeachment Bid

The impeachment proceedings, initiated on Thursday, are based on allegations against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, including unauthorised expenditure, non-payment of Assembly staff salaries, failure to properly screen appointments and the demolition of the Assembly complex.

The impeachment notice was read by the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Major Jack, and reportedly endorsed by 26 lawmakers, who argued that both the governor and his deputy were incapable of effectively discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, subsequently granted the governor and his deputy seven days to respond to the allegations. The Assembly also resolved to suspend consideration of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2026 Appropriation Bill pending further investigations.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of deepening political realignments in Rivers State. In December 2025, 17 PDP lawmakers defected to the APC, followed by Governor Fubara’s own move to the ruling party—developments that have further heightened tensions between APC and PDP blocs.

This marks the third impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara, following similar efforts in 2023 and 2025.