Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has come out swinging against fresh impeachment threats targeting Governor Siminalayi Fubara, branding the move a leftover ploy from the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) designed to sow discord. In a blistering statement, local APC chiefs warned that such “imported chaos” could fracture the party at a crucial time, urging lawmakers to drop the axe and focus on governance instead. This latest flare-up in the oil-rich southern state underscores the fragile alliances within Nigeria’s political landscape, where personal rivalries often eclipse public service.
The drama unfolded as the Rivers State House of Assembly, dominated by allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike – a PDP heavyweight with lingering influence – pushed ahead with proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. Accusations include gross misconduct, breaching Tinubu-brokered peace deals from past crises, and refusing to present the 2026 budget.
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Speaker Martins Amaewhule confirmed the process is steaming forward, with formal notices imminent. But Rivers APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju dismissed it as a “shameful hangover” from PDP tactics, insisting the party won’t stand for external forces destabilising their ranks. “We must protect our house from intruders,” he said, calling for unity to avoid plunging the Niger Delta into unrest.
President Bola Tinubu, keen to keep a lid on the boiling pot, has reportedly waded in once more. Sources close to the presidency say he’s summoned Wike for urgent talks abroad, while engaging Fubara separately to broker calm. Tinubu, who backed Fubara’s defection from PDP to APC last year, views governors as key state leaders and is said to be frustrated with Wike’s aggressive play. “He can’t just impeach without fallout,” an insider noted. This echoes earlier interventions that temporarily halted similar bids in 2023 and 2025, including a brief emergency rule.
Factional splits add fuel to the fire. Former APC governorship candidate Tonye Cole warned Fubara has aligned with an “illegal” party group led by Tony Okocha, lacking court backing, which could spark legal woes akin to 2019 when infighting barred APC candidates from polls. The legitimate faction, under Emeka Beke, offers a safer harbour, Cole argued. Meanwhile, Wike, Fubara’s one-time mentor turned foe, vowed no second term for the governor, labelling his support a “mistake” to correct in 2027.
Rivers elders and civil society groups have condemned the impeachment push as “reckless,” fearing it could ignite youth violence in a region vital for Nigeria’s oil economy. “This risks chaos we can’t afford,” they stated, urging restraint. For ordinary residents, it’s exhaustion amid endless power plays. “We want roads and jobs, not drama,” a Port Harcourt trader told reporters.
The crisis tests APC’s national cohesion as 2027 looms. With defections reshaping the board – like recent switches in Plateau and Kano – Tinubu must navigate carefully to avoid appearing weak. Opposition parties, including a fragmenting PDP, watch gleefully, seizing on divisions. Yet APC insiders insist unity will prevail, pointing to e-registration drives boosting membership.
Nigeria’s broader challenges – economic reforms, insecurity – need stable states like Rivers. If Tinubu’s mediation succeeds, it could steady the ship; failure risks ripple effects nationwide. For now, all eyes on Abuja as the president plays peacemaker in this high-stakes southern showdown.
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