Fresh indications have emerged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped in to stop the political crisis in Rivers State, following renewed impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the President has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for an urgent meeting outside Nigeria over the festering feud between the former political allies. It was also gathered that Governor Fubara travelled out of the country on Thursday aboard a private jet, with plans to meet Tinubu in France as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions.
The presidential intervention comes amid reports of a fresh impeachment plot allegedly triggered by Fubara’s recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his growing engagement with the party’s national leadership ahead of a possible second-term bid. Sources said the development has unsettled Wike and intensified political hostilities in the oil-rich state.
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On Thursday, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy. During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations citing gross misconduct against Fubara.
The seven-count allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the legislature.
Deputy Governor Odu was accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure, obstructing the House from performing its constitutional duties, and allegedly conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy government offices without legislative screening.
Amaewhule said the impeachment notice would be served on the governor within seven days and adjourned plenary until January 15, describing the move as “in the interest of Rivers State.” He further accused Fubara of refusing to present the 2026 budget, a move he said undermined legislative authority.
The allegations mirror those raised earlier in 2025 before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the six-month suspension of the governor and his deputy. Tinubu later mediated, leading to a fragile truce between Fubara and Wike.
Barely three months after the emergency rule was lifted, the truce collapsed as both men resumed public exchanges. Wike accused Fubara of reneging on agreements reached during reconciliation talks, while the governor made veiled criticisms of his former political benefactor.
The impeachment process is widely viewed as the climax of the renewed face-off, with Wike reportedly insisting that Fubara will not secure a second term—even after defecting to the APC.
A top source familiar with the developments said the President had become alarmed and was determined to rein in the crisis.
“The President sees the danger in what is going on. He has summoned Wike for a meeting abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” the source said, warning that prolonged instability could push aggrieved youths in the Niger Delta back into unrest.
The source added that Tinubu personally approved Fubara’s defection to the APC and reaffirmed that governors are recognised as leaders of the party in their states.
A senior official at the APC national secretariat confirmed that party leaders were preparing to meet the President upon his return to Nigeria, expressing dissatisfaction with Wike’s actions.
“Our leaders are unhappy that Wike is treating Fubara the same way he did when both were in the PDP. Fubara is now an APC governor and should be allowed to govern. Even if he does not seek a second term, he should be allowed to complete it,” the official said.
A member of the APC National Working Committee warned that Wike’s actions could damage national stability and portray the President as weak.
“At a time Nigeria faces serious security and diplomatic challenges, heating up the polity in Rivers State shows insensitivity to national interest. Many stakeholders now see Wike as an albatross to the President,” the official said.
Former senator Andrew Uchendu also described the prolonged crisis as an embarrassment to Rivers State, calling for a roundtable dialogue involving elder statesmen and all parties to resolve the dispute.
Fayose: Only prayers can save Fubara
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose warned that Governor Fubara faces grave political danger.
“Only fasting and prayers can save Fubara from impeachment,” Fayose said during a television interview, urging the governor to adopt humility and accommodation. Drawing from his own impeachment experience, Fayose accused Fubara of ingratitude towards Wike, who played a key role in his emergence.
“The emergency rule was a saving grace. Once you are impeached, that is your end,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Wike has declared that he would not allow himself to be “buried politically” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area as part of his thank-you tour, Wike said allowing Fubara to secure a second term would end his political relevance.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one—Fubara—no way. I will not allow myself to be buried politically,” he said.
Wike, who played a pivotal role in Fubara’s emergence in 2023, described his support as a “leadership mistake” that must be corrected in 2027, insisting that political agreements had been breached.
He also urged traditional rulers, including King Ateke Tom of Okochiri Kingdom, to remain neutral and work for peace as political tensions continue to rise in the state.
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