The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has openly rejected moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, warning that the action could plunge the state into deeper political instability and badly damage the party’s image.
The party’s intervention comes amid a deepening political crisis in Rivers State following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The process was initiated during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, where the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a formal notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
At least 26 lawmakers were reported to have endorsed the notice, which they claimed complied with constitutional provisions. Amaewhule announced that the allegations would be formally served on the governor within seven days, in line with legislative procedure. A separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh was also read by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Rivers APC spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the party said it had taken note of what it described as “unfortunate developments” emanating from the State House of Assembly. While acknowledging the constitutional role of the legislature and the principle of checks and balances, the APC said it could not support an impeachment process against a governor elected on its platform.
“Our position as of today on this matter is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our Governor and his deputy,” the statement said.
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The party cautioned against allowing internal disputes linked to the Peoples Democratic Party to spill into the APC, describing such a scenario as unacceptable and potentially destructive. Addressing claims that the impeachment move was connected to budgetary issues, the APC recalled that during the period of emergency rule, a budget of ₦1.485 trillion was transmitted to the National Assembly by the President in May 2025 and subsequently approved by the Senate on June 25 and the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025.
According to the party, the budget was designed to run for one year until August 2026, adding that the governor is not constitutionally compelled to present a supplementary budget if satisfied with the existing appropriation. The APC also cited constitutional provisions that permit a governor to continue spending for up to six months into a new fiscal year.
The party urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, particularly its lawmakers, to resist what it described as pressure from outside the Assembly aimed at destabilising the government. It stressed that internal conflicts and power struggles should not be allowed to derail governance and development in the state.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that the Government of Rivers State, which is an APC government, is not destabilised through fratricidal disagreements,” the statement added.
The APC called on the lawmakers to immediately halt the impeachment process, warning that pushing it through could tarnish the party’s reputation and undermine democratic governance in Rivers State. It urged political actors to prioritise stability and the will of the electorate over partisan calculations.
The latest development unfolds against the backdrop of a prolonged political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, a struggle that has continued to polarise the state’s political landscape. The APC has previously maintained that should Wike decide to join the party, he would be subordinate to the sitting governor, underscoring that authority within the party is tied to current office.
As tensions rise, the party’s rejection of the impeachment bid signals a significant intervention that could reshape the direction of the unfolding crisis in Rivers State.
