By Chimdiogo Amuh 

Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including some governors and senior federal officials, have stepped in to de-escalate the growing political crisis in Rivers State following a fresh impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

The intervention comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly issued a seven-day notice accusing the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct. Multiple sources confirmed that behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to reach a “political solution” aimed at preventing a relapse into violence and instability in the oil-rich state.

A senior APC source disclosed that both Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are being contacted as part of reconciliation efforts. Another top politician revealed that the Presidency has been briefed on the situation and is expected to intervene, even as key political actors have already begun mediation.

Impeachment proceedings commence

The crisis intensified on Thursday when the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy. The lawmakers, most of whom are aligned with Wike, accused Fubara of refusing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration.

The impeachment motion was moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo. Subsequently, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against the governor in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Seven allegations were listed against Governor Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and failure to comply with Supreme Court rulings on legislative financial autonomy. Similar allegations of gross misconduct were also raised against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

Speaker Amaewhule said the alleged infractions were largely centred on budgetary issues and spending outside the state’s appropriation law. He accused the governor of abandoning approved budgets, awarding contracts unlawfully, and frustrating legislative duties.

He further claimed that Rivers State is the only sub-national government yet to present a 2026 appropriation bill, describing the situation as unprecedented and unacceptable.

Assembly suspends budget consideration

The Speaker announced that the House would suspend consideration of the 2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill until the impeachment investigation is concluded. He said the governor would be formally notified and given seven days to respond to the allegations, as required by law. The Assembly thereafter adjourned plenary to January 15.

Government urges calm

The Rivers State Government has so far declined to comment officially. A senior government official said the administration would only respond after receiving a formal notice from the Assembly, stressing that the government’s priority remains peace and stability in the state.

APC factions divided

Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers State, aligned with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, rejected the impeachment move. In a statement, the party warned against importing internal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disputes into the APC.

The party argued that a ₦1.485 trillion budget transmitted by President Bola Tinubu during the period of emergency rule in 2025 remains valid until August 2026, adding that the constitution allows a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year.

The party urged APCAPC Moves to Defuse Tension as Rivers Assembly Threatens Fubara with Impeachment

Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including some governors and senior federal officials, have stepped in to de-escalate the growing political crisis in Rivers State following a fresh impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Od

The intervention comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly issued a seven-day notice accusing the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct. Multiple sources confirmed that behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to reach a “political solution” aimed at preventing a relapse into violence and instability in the oil-rich stat

A senior APC source disclosed that both Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are being contacted as part of reconciliation efforts. Another top politician revealed that the Presidency has been briefed on the situation and is expected to intervene, even as key political actors have already begun mediatio

Impeachment proceedings commen

The crisis intensified on Thursday when the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy. The lawmakers, most of whom are aligned with Wike, accused Fubara of refusing to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideratio

The impeachment motion was moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo. Subsequently, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against the governor in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended

Seven allegations were listed against Governor Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and failure to comply with Supreme Court rulings on legislative financial autonomy. Similar allegations of gross misconduct were also raised against Deputy Governor Ngozi Od

Speaker Amaewhule said the alleged infractions were largely centred on budgetary issues and spending outside the state’s appropriation law. He accused the governor of abandoning approved budgets, awarding contracts unlawfully, and frustrating legislative dutie

He further claimed that Rivers State is the only sub-national government yet to present a 2026 appropriation bill, describing the situation as unprecedented and unacceptabl

Assembly suspends budget considerati

The Speaker announced that the House would suspend consideration of the 2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill until the impeachment investigation is concluded. He said the governor would be formally notified and given seven days to respond to the allegations, as required by law. The Assembly thereafter adjourned plenary to January 1

Government urges ca

The Rivers State Government has so far declined to comment officially. A senior government official said the administration would only respond after receiving a formal notice from the Assembly, stressing that the government’s priority remains peace and stability in the stat

APC factions divid

Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers State, aligned with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, rejected the impeachment move. In a statement, the party warned against importing internal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disputes into the AP

The party argued that a ₦1.485 trillion budget transmitted by President Bola Tinubu during the period of emergency rule in 2025 remains valid until August 2026, adding that the constitution allows a six-month spending window into a new fiscal yea

The party urged APC lawmakers in the Assembly to resist external pressure and discontinue the impeachment proces

Public backlash grows 

Several groups have raised alarm over the impeachment threat. The Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide warned that the move could plunge Rivers State into another round of crisis, while the South-South Youths Initiative called on President Tinubu to rein in Wike to prevent security breakdow

Women groups under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting there was no evidence linking the governor to the demolition of the Assembly comple

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) also cautioned against the use of impeachment as a political weapon, stressing that due process and fair hearing must be strictly observe

Calls for federal action

In a more dramatic response, the National Democratic Coalition-USA called on President Tinubu to sack the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, blaming him for the Rivers crisis and warning that failure to act could worsen instability in the state 

Background to the crisis 

Rivers State has been embroiled in a prolonged political struggle rooted in the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Although Fubara was elected in 2023 with Wike’s backing, relations soured shortly after he assumed office and sought to assert political independence

The rift has since evolved into a full-blown institutional crisis involving the executive, legislature, judiciary, and federal authorities, with repeated impeachment threats and legislative paralysis 

In a major political shift, Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC on December 9, positioning himself as the ruling party’s leading figure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections. The move followed the defection of several lawmakers and has further heightened tensions in the state 

As mediation efforts continue, political observers warn that the handling of the impeachment process could determine whether Rivers State moves toward stability or slides back into crisis