- says it threatens democracy, stability in N’Delta
- Nothing will stop us – Rivers Assembly
Ijaw National Congress, INC, the umbrella organization of the Ijaw people, has condemned the renewed impeachment move against Rivers State Gowernor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
It described the move as a serious threat to democracy and stability in the Niger Delta.
In a statement signed by its President, Benjamin Okaba, and issued in Yenagoa, the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation expressed deep concern over the resumption of impeachment proceedings by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
It escribed the move as the third impeachment attempt since 2023, warning that it reflects a pattern of political vendetta capable of destabilising Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
The Congress noted that the impeachment threat is a fallout of the collapse of a peace deal brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2025, aimed at resolving the political rift in the state.
Acknowledging the constitutional provisions for impeachment, the INC questioned the speed and context of the process, suggesting it may be driven by political interests rather than genuine oversight
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has declared that it remains unstoppable in the quest to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof Odu, from office.
Selling through its spokesman, Hon Enemi George on a Channels Television political programme, ‘Politivs Today”, the Assembly said, “Nothing, not even political solution, will stop Fubara’s impeachment.”
The lawmakers insisted that no political intervention will halt the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Governor Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Odu.
Recall that the Assembly had on Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, the spokesperson of the Assembly, Enemi George, said the lawmakers were determined to see the process through, stressing that the action was strictly guided by law and not political considerations.
George dismissed suggestions that a political solution could resolve the crisis, arguing that such claims undermine the integrity of the legislature.
“Very sincerely, I doubt that because we’ve had one too many political solutions. It demeans and diminishes the institution of the Rivers State House of Assembly if you say that everything we do is because of politics. Right now, what we’re talking about is the law,” he said.
He described Governor Fubara as a “recidivist,” alleging that the governor repeatedly violated the law despite previous interventions aimed at resolving the crisis.
“A recidivist is somebody who commits the same crime over and over again. So what’s the need for a political solution?” George asked.
Accusing Fubara of mismanaging public funds and appointing relatives into positions without following due process, George also faulted Fubara for allegedly refusing to present the state budget in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Similarly, the Rivers Assembly has debunked insinuations that the impeachment proceedings against Fubara are being influenced by the immediate past governor of Rivers State and the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
George, who also clarified this on the Channels Television programme said that the lawmakers are acting strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and not at the behest of any political figure.
George insisted that attributing the impeachment process to Wike or any individual’s influence undermines the integrity and independence of the legislative arm of government.
Responding to questions on what role Wike played in the impeachment move, the Rivers Assembly spokesman warned against conflating politics with constitutional responsibilities, describing such an approach as dangerous.
He said, “This is like pouring oil into water; the two do not mix unless boiled. The FCT minister is a politician. If we begin to mix politics with constitutional matters, we will begin to cause trouble.”
Stressing that the Rivers State House of Assembly should not be reduced to the influence of any single individual, George noted that such narratives are unfair and demeaning to an institution established by the Constitution.
He enthused, “I am not a party chief; I am the spokesperson of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Personally, I am politically aligned with the FCT minister, but it is insulting to reduce the activities of an institution created by the Constitution to just politics or an individual.”
He insisted that the impeachment process is not politically motivated, but driven by alleged constitutional breaches by the governor, adding that the lawmakers were discharging their constitutional duties and would continue to follow due process as stipulated by law.
Rivers State House of Assembly had on Thursday, began an impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, citing allegations of gross misconduct, a development that has continued to generate political tension and public debate across the state and beyond.
