APC Rallies Behind Fubara: Party Leaders Reject ‘Destabilizing’ Impeachment Plot in Rivers

Top figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including influential governors and party leaders, have stepped in to calm rising tensions in Rivers State following a seven-day impeachment notice issued by the State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

Credible party sources revealed late Thursday that senior APC stakeholders have begun discreet efforts aimed at finding a political resolution to the escalating crisis.

“There are quiet engagements already underway to ease tensions and resolve the situation. A political solution is being pursued, and both the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory are being contacted,” a senior source close to the APC leadership disclosed.

Investigations indicate that, in a bid to prevent a return to violent unrest in Rivers State, key political actors and senior federal officials with ties to both camps have initiated behind-the-scenes reconciliation talks.

Another top political figure familiar with the developments said the Presidency had been fully briefed and was expected to step in if necessary. According to the source, while presidential intervention is anticipated, several high-ranking government officials and political leaders are already engaging both parties.

Meanwhile, the political standoff deepened on Thursday as the Rivers State House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy. The lawmakers issued a seven-day ultimatum for both officials to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.

During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly stated that the move was triggered by the governor’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration.

The 27 lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor and his deputy of deliberately undermining the Assembly’s constitutional duties, describing the alleged actions as impeachable offences.

The impeachment process followed a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo.

Allegations against the governor, deputy

Earlier, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice detailing seven allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The accusations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, refusal to comply with Supreme Court judgments on legislative financial autonomy, and the seizure of salaries and allowances of lawmakers and Assembly staff, among others.

Following this, the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

The allegations against Odu include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstruction of legislative duties, facilitating the occupation of government offices by unscreened individuals, seeking budget approval from an unauthorised body, and withholding salaries and allowances meant for the Assembly and its Service Commission.

Speaker condemns governor’s actions

Addressing the House, Speaker Amaewhule said the allegations largely stemmed from issues surrounding budget presentation and spending outside the appropriation law.

He stressed that the impeachment process had already begun and was no longer open for debate. According to him, Rivers State remains the only state yet to present a 2026 appropriation bill, describing the situation as unprecedented in modern governance.

Amaewhule further alleged that even when spending was approved in 2023, the governor abandoned the budget and awarded contracts outside the law, leading to deteriorating public services, poor infrastructure, and rising unemployment.

Describing the governor as a threat to democracy, the Speaker insisted that the law must take its full course. He claimed that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly intervened, giving the governor multiple opportunities to change course, but without success.

The House resolved to suspend consideration of the 2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill until the impeachment investigation is concluded. A formal notice was to be forwarded to the governor, giving him seven days to respond in line with constitutional provisions. The Assembly later adjourned sitting until January 15.

State government urges calm

Governor Fubara had not officially responded as of the time of reporting. However, a senior government official said the administration would only react after receiving a formal notice from the Assembly.

“There are laid-down procedures. Responding now would imply receipt of a notice, which has not happened. Our focus remains peace and stability in Rivers State,” the official said.

APC faction rejects impeachment move

The Rivers State chapter of the APC aligned with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, rejected the impeachment process, warning against importing internal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disputes into the APC.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the party noted that during the period of emergency rule, President Tinubu transmitted a ₦1.485 trillion budget to the National Assembly, which was approved in mid-2025 and is expected to run until August 2026. The party added that the constitution permits a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year.

The APC urged its members in the Assembly to resist external pressure and halt the impeachment proceedings.

Youths, women groups raise concerns

The Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide warned that the impeachment move could destabilise the state and endanger public safety. Its president, Jonathan Lokpobiri, expressed concern that a crisis previously resolved through presidential intervention appeared to be resurfacing.

Similarly, the South-South Youths Initiative condemned the impeachment attempt, calling on President Tinubu to rein in political actors it accused of fuelling the crisis. The group warned of potential security consequences if the situation escalates.

Women groups operating under the banner Rivers Women Unite for Sim described the impeachment process as baseless and dismissible, insisting there was no evidence linking Governor Fubara to the demolition of the Assembly complex.

Civil society cautions against misuse of impeachment

The Civil Liberties Organisation cautioned against turning impeachment into a political weapon. In a statement signed by its Rivers State chairman, Sunny Dada, and Secretary-General, Dr Christian Onyegbule, the group stressed that impeachment is a serious constitutional tool meant for accountability, not political vendettas.

The organisation urged all parties to embrace dialogue, respect due process, and prioritise the peace and stability of Rivers State.

Calls for Wike’s removal

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Coalition–USA called on President Tinubu to remove the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as a step towards restoring peace in Rivers State. Speaking in Port Harcourt, NADECO-USA President, Dr Lloyd Ukwu, accused Wike of being the central figure in the crisis and warned that continued inaction could implicate the Presidency.

Background to the crisis

Rivers State, Nigeria’s oil-rich hub, remains embroiled in a deep political struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The conflict has fractured the legislature, stalled governance, and triggered repeated impeachment threats.

Fubara, who was elected in 2023 with Wike’s backing, sought to assert independence shortly after assuming office, a move that sparked accusations of betrayal from Wike’s camp.

The rift later expanded into a broader institutional crisis involving the executive, legislature, judiciary, and federal authorities.

In December, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC, a major political shift widely viewed as strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections. Several lawmakers followed suit, cementing Fubara’s emergence as the APC’s leading political figure in Rivers State.