The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed it is moving to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, officially serving him and his deputy with notices detailing allegations of gross misconduct. Lawmakers accuse the governor of seven violations, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, unauthorized spending, and disobeying court rulings on financial autonomy. This marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara in less than a year, deepening a prolonged political crisis.
The move has sparked fierce backlash. The Nigeria Democratic Front (NDF) condemned the action as a “shameful display of political thuggery” driven by the personal interests of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The group called for the 26 lawmakers involved to be recalled from office, arguing they now represent their “political paymaster” rather than their constituents.
However, other voices claim the conflict stems from governance disputes, not just a personal feud. The APC South-South Group alleges the impeachment threats followed Governor Fubara’s refusal to approve certain items in the state’s 2026 budget. They frame it as a political disagreement over the budget process rather than a constitutional crisis or a breach of a prior peace deal.
The impeachment battle is a flashpoint in a wider struggle for control of Rivers politics. Governor Fubara, alongside his deputy and other key officials, has recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This has intensified a rivalry with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is also an APC-appointed minister but faces diminishing influence in his home state. APC leaders have publicly clashed with Wike, warning his actions threaten party unity and asking him to resign his party leadership claims.
Amid the turmoil, Wike remains defiant. Touring local councils, he boasted that no one could push his political camp out of Rivers State and affirmed its status as a stronghold for President Tinubu. He dismissed rivals as latecomers to the president’s agenda.
As the constitutional process unfolds, civil society groups are exploring ways to counter the lawmakers. One organization has initiated steps to recall the 26 Assembly members, citing a failure to represent the people’s will and even pointing to an error in the impeachment notice. The crisis continues to raise fundamental questions about political interference and democratic stability in the state.
