The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and key political figures from Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s camp have strongly opposed the recent move by the Rivers State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The political tension in the state has intensified, following the Assembly’s issuance of a notice of allegations and gross misconduct against both Governor Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, giving them just seven days to respond.
In a statement released on Thursday, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment move, describing it as a dangerous threat to democracy, peace, and stability in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta region.
“This is the third attempt since 2023, revealing a relentless cycle of political vendetta that must be broken,” Okaba said, adding that the INC stands firmly with the people of Rivers State and all defenders of constitutional order in rejecting the action.
He emphasised that the dispute should not be viewed solely as an Ijaw issue, but as a critical challenge to the nation’s democracy.
“This is not a matter of the Ijaw nation but of democracy,” Okaba stated.
Okaba also addressed the core of the allegations, which relate to governance issues such as budgetary spending and gubernatorial appointments. He stressed that such issues should be resolved through legal and procedural methods, not weaponised for political purposes.
He said, “The speed and context of this process raise questions about its fairness. The Assembly’s notice cites Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, but its use appears more as a political tool than a legitimate check on executive power.”
Okaba noted that the impeachment attempt followed the collapse of a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, aimed at resolving the long-standing feud between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The INC President urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act decisively, calling on the President to defend constitutional democracy in Rivers State and to ensure that the federal government remains neutral in the ongoing political conflict.
He stated, “The peace and economic stability of the Niger Delta depend on the federal government being seen as an honest broker. The President must ensure neutrality and curb all agents of instability.”
Despite the political tensions, Okaba appealed to the people of Rivers and the Ijaw community to remain calm and peaceful. He urged residents to avoid violent actions and instead focus on lawful advocacy and democratic engagement.
“The legitimate development projects initiated by the state government must not be sacrificed for political gains,” Okaba said, stressing the importance of dialogue to achieve lasting peace. He also emphasised that only through inclusive dialogue could the state secure a sustainable future.
Fubara’s Political Camp Condemns Impeachment
On Friday, Fubara’s political camp, under the Supreme Council for Sim (SCS), condemned the impeachment process, declaring it illegal. Amb. Oji Ngofa, the leader of the SCS, maintained that the impeachment move was unconstitutional and lacked any legitimate basis.
In a statement following an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Ngofa called the impeachment effort politically motivated and unfounded, further backing the claim with assertions that the reasons behind it did not have any constitutional merit.
Ngofa said, “Supreme Council for Sim outrightly rejects and condemns the purported impeachment move against the governor of Rivers State. We think that the move is unconstitutional and the reasons they have adduced for the impeachment have no legal basis.
“We all know that the governor transmitted the budget to the National Assembly, and 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 the 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 continues to insult the sensibilities of the people. We are not seeing any expression of the interest of Rivers men in what they are doing. What we are seeing is the attempt to appropriate our collective resources for self-aggrandisement.
“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.
“I am calling on our party to begin to take punitive measures against those APC lawmakers who endorsed the move. We will stand by the governor because we believe that the direction of Wike’s politics is not in the interest of Rivers people. They have not added any legislative value to the Rivers people.”