The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly opposed the impeachment process launched by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, describing the action as “destabilising and unnecessary.”
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said while it recognises the constitutional autonomy of the legislature, it would not endorse what it described as an unnecessary resort to impeachment against an APC-led administration.
“Our position as at today on this matter is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our Governor and his deputy,” the statement said.
The party warned lawmakers, particularly APC members within the Assembly, against succumbing to external pressures that could throw the state into renewed political instability. According to Nwauju, internal disputes that previously affected another party should not be allowed to undermine the ruling party in Rivers State.
“It will be totally untenable for our party to keep quiet when an obvious hangover from strifes that occurred within the PDP are allowed to resurface in our great party,” he stated.
Responding to claims that the impeachment threat is connected to budgetary matters, the APC recalled that “during the period of emergency rule, a ₦1.485 trillion budget was transmitted to the National Assembly in May 2025 and approved by the Senate on 25 June and the House of Representatives on 22 July 2025.” The party noted that the budget is designed to remain in force until August 2026.
The APC argued that the governor is within his constitutional rights to decide against presenting a supplementary budget, adding that the constitution allows spending to continue for up to six months into a new fiscal year. It stressed that such provisions should not be twisted into grounds for impeachment.
“Let it be known that our party will do everything possible to ensure that the Government of Rivers State, which is an APC government, is not destabilised through fratricidal disagreements,” the statement added.
Although Governor Fubara has not publicly reacted to the impeachment move, the Rivers APC called on the Assembly to immediately halt the process, warning that it could harm the party’s image nationally and slow down development efforts in the state.
The party’s position came shortly after members of the Rivers State House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings on Thursday. During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against Governor Fubara in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
Jack outlined seven allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, spending outside approved budgets, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and the alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of the legislature. A total of 26 lawmakers endorsed the notice.
Amaewhule said, “I will ensure that this letter is forwarded to His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, within seven days.”
Similarly, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. The allegations include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure, obstruction of the Assembly from performing its duties, and the alleged approval of budgets outside the recognised legislature.
The latest development represents the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu within a year. A similar process was initiated in March 2025 following a major political rift between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
That earlier crisis prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of the governor, his deputy and the Assembly for six months. Tinubu subsequently appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator of the state. Fubara later returned to office after a reconciliation process facilitated by the president.
In December, Governor Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, stating, “We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support.” His defection followed the earlier movement of some Rivers lawmakers to the ruling party, further reshaping the state’s political landscape.
What you should know
The renewed impeachment move in Rivers State highlights lingering political tensions despite a previous reconciliation brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
The APC’s rejection of the process signals internal divisions and concerns about stability, especially after Governor Fubara’s recent defection from the PDP. Impeachment under Section 188 of the Constitution follows a multi-stage process and does not automatically remove an elected official.
How the Assembly proceeds, and whether party pressure prevails, will significantly influence governance, party unity and political stability in Rivers State.
