THE Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, describing the move as unnecessary and capable of destabilising the state.
In a statement issued today and signed by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said while it recognises the constitutional independence of the legislature, it would not support impeachment actions against an APC-led government.
The party urged lawmakers—particularly APC members—to resist external pressures that could plunge Rivers State into political unrest.
The APC also dismissed claims that the impeachment threat is connected to budgetary issues. It recalled that during the period of emergency rule, a ₦1.485 trillion budget was submitted to the National Assembly in May 2025 and approved by both chambers by July 2025, noting that the budget is expected to run until August 2026.
According to the party, the governor is within his constitutional rights not to present a supplementary budget, as the law allows spending to continue for up to six months into a new fiscal year.
Warning against internal conflicts, the party said it would take all necessary steps to ensure that the Rivers State government is not undermined by internal disputes, adding that continued impeachment efforts could harm the APC’s image and slow development in the state.
Although Governor Fubara has not commented publicly on the matter, the party has called on the Assembly to halt the impeachment process.
The APC’s response followed the formal commencement of impeachment proceedings by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday. During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Major Jack presented a notice of allegations against the governor under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
The notice, signed by 26 lawmakers, listed seven allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on the Assembly’s financial autonomy.
A separate notice was also presented against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of unconstitutional spending, obstruction of legislative duties, and approval of budgets outside the recognised legislature.
This development marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu within a year. A similar effort in March 2025, following a political rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The governor, his deputy, and the Assembly were suspended for six months, with Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) appointed as administrator. Fubara later returned to office after a reconciliation process.
In December, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, saying full alignment with the ruling party was necessary to support President Tinubu effectively.
His defection followed the earlier movement of some Rivers lawmakers to the APC.