The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other community leaders have launched a strong protest against the ongoing impeachment process targeting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, describing the move as politically motivated and harmful to the interests of the state and its people.
In a statement issued on Sunday, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba spoke out forcefully against the impeachment efforts led by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, warning that the people of Rivers State are largely opposed to the bid to remove their elected governor and deputy. Okaba characterised the impeachment as an exercise in “vendetta” and self-interest rather than a legitimate process aimed at advancing democracy or improving governance.
Okaba, whose organisation is a key socio-cultural body representing the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta, said the impeachment initiative lacks broad support among constituents and appears instead to reflect the ambitions and personal interests of certain lawmakers. He criticised the lawmakers, particularly those of Ijaw extraction, for backing the impeachment without consulting the people they represent, a move he said betrays the trust and expectations of the Ijaw nation and Rivers State as a whole.
The INC leader also condemned the inclusion of Deputy Governor Odu in the impeachment proceedings, insisting that she has not committed any act that would justify her removal from office. Okaba described efforts to impeach both the governor and deputy governor as an affront to democratic norms and warned of the potential consequences for regional stability if the process continues unabated.
Supporting INC’s position, Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and pioneer spokesman for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), called the impeachment move “embarrassing” and detrimental to the state’s progress. Sara-Igbe argued that the impeachment threat not only undermines the administration but also disrespects broader efforts to bring peace to the state following an extended period of political turbulence. He urged lawmakers to publish any agreements or evidence supporting their claims if they genuinely believe the governor has breached constitutional duties.
The protests come amid a resurgent impeachment push by the Rivers State Assembly, where legislators led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule resumed proceedings against Fubara and Odu earlier this month, accusing them of gross misconduct and other alleged constitutional breaches. Despite this, two lawmakers had previously called for the impeachment process to be suspended in favour of dialogue and reconciliation.
Governor Fubara, for his part, has maintained that he continues to carry out his constitutional responsibilities and remains committed to governance and service delivery in Rivers State despite the impeachment threats. He has also avoided publicly acknowledging the delivery of an official impeachment notice, even as political dynamics in the state remain tense.
The political crisis traces back to deep-seated tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, whose allies in the Assembly are widely seen as driving the impeachment agenda. The conflict has seen legal challenges, the suspension and reinstatement of the governor and his deputy, and federal interventions aimed at stabilising governance in the state.
Critics of the impeachment have raised broader concerns about the impact of protracted political conflict on governance, security, and investment in Rivers State — a key economic hub of Nigeria’s oil sector. Professional groups and diaspora Nigerians have warned that repeated threats of impeachment undermine democratic institutions and could erode investor confidence and social cohesion if allowed to persist unchecked.
The INC’s strong stance reflects a growing chorus of voices urging restraint, dialogue, and constitutional adherence as the state navigates one of its most fraught political chapters in recent memory. Whether the impeachment process will go ahead or be halted in response to mounting protests and calls for reconciliation remains a pivotal question for Rivers State’s political future.
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