Fubara impeachment: Wike stays silent as stakeholders urge lawmakers to stop process

An uneasy calm settled over Rivers State yesterday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, maintained a conspicuous silence while pressure mounted on lawmakers to halt the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Although commercial and social activities continued normally in Port Harcourt, anxiety was evident as key stakeholders intervened following Thursday’s decision by the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings. Saturday Vanguard gathered that Governor Fubara, who is currently out of the country, is yet to be formally served with the impeachment notice and enjoys the backing of influential power brokers and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain in office.

Among the groups that have stepped into the crisis is the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone. In a statement issued yesterday, PANDEF condemned the impeachment move and appealed to all parties to embrace peace, dialogue, tolerance and political moderation. The group also announced the formation of a seven-member reconciliation committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, to mediate in the crisis.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Rivers elder and PANDEF chieftain, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and rescue the state from what he described as needless tension arising from the third attempt to remove the governor and his deputy.

The International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) also denounced the impeachment process, warning lawmakers not to mistake the patience of Rivers people for weakness.

Meanwhile, the silence of the APC’s national leadership on the unfolding crisis has heightened political tension. As of Friday, neither the Professor Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee (NWC) nor the Tony Okocha-led Rivers APC executive officially recognised by the party had issued a statement on the impeachment.

However, the dissolved Emeka Beke-led APC executive in the state, which has been locked in a prolonged leadership dispute with the Okocha faction, called on the party’s NWC to urgently intervene and broker a political solution to the growing tension.

Port Harcourt calm but tense

Port Harcourt remained relatively quiet yesterday despite the brewing political crisis. Residents went about their daily activities, though some blamed the FCT minister, Mr. Wike, as the architect of the renewed instability in the state.

Wike avoids comments on impeachment

Wike declined to comment publicly on the impeachment proceedings. When his “thank you” tour reached Andoni Local Government Area yesterday, the minister appeared unusually reserved and addressed the crowd briefly, spending less than five minutes speaking— a sharp contrast to his typically energetic public outings.

Sources disclosed that the Presidency and top APC leaders had again resolved to “save” the governor. Recent remarks by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu—both of whom commended Governor Fubara and acknowledged him as the party’s leader in Rivers—were said to reflect the position of key power brokers.

Those reportedly favourably disposed to Fubara include Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

PANDEF sets up reconciliation committee

In a joint statement signed by PANDEF leaders—King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah and Ambassador Godknows Igali—the group expressed grave concern over the political developments in Rivers State, warning that the situation could escalate into a breakdown of law and order.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention,” the statement said, noting Rivers State’s strategic importance to the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s overall stability.

PANDEF urged all parties to cooperate with the reconciliation committee, stressing the need to prioritise peace, development and the welfare of Rivers people.

Elders, civil society oppose impeachment

Chief Sara-Igbe reiterated his call for presidential intervention, recalling that Fubara narrowly escaped impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 before the latest move on January 8, 2026.

“If President Tinubu desires victory in Rivers State in 2027 and the Niger Delta as a whole, he should call Wike to order,” he said, urging lawmakers to withdraw the impeachment and allow the governor to focus on governance.

Similarly, the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Rivers State chapter, warned that the political tension had created a fragile environment where constitutional procedures risk being perceived as tools of political conflict.

CLO Chairman, Comrade Sunny Dada, cautioned against sacrificing Rivers State to power struggles, stressing that impeachment carried out in bad faith or haste would lack legitimacy and invite public and judicial backlash.

ISSJHR warns lawmakers

ISSJHR Chancellor, Omenazu Jackson, described the impeachment move as “anti-democratic, constitutionally reckless, and a clear abuse of legislative powers.”

“Impeachment is not a political weapon,” Jackson said, noting that Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution requires strict adherence to due process, including clear allegations, fair hearing and proper investigation.

APC internal divisions resurface

Amid the APC’s silence, the Beke-led faction renewed its appeal to the NWC to intervene. The faction’s spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, expressed confidence in the national leadership’s ability to manage the crisis, while dismissing the legitimacy of the Okocha-led executive and citing ongoing court cases.

“Our interest is that the APC becomes a winning machine in Rivers State and wins elections in 2027,” Nwauju said, declining to comment on Wike’s influence in state politics.

The political situation remains fluid as stakeholders intensify efforts to avert further escalation in Rivers State.

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