The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, describing the action as unnecessary and capable of destabilising the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said while it respects the constitutional independence of the legislature, it would not support any attempt to remove the governor and his deputy through impeachment.
The party said it was “solemnly rejecting” the impeachment process, warning that such a move could plunge the state into avoidable political turmoil. It also cautioned lawmakers, particularly APC members in the Assembly, against yielding to external pressures that could undermine governance and stability in Rivers State.
Nwauju noted that internal disputes inherited from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not be allowed to resurface within the APC, stressing that the party would not remain silent while such disagreements threaten its administration in the state.
Addressing claims that the impeachment move was connected to budgetary concerns, the APC recalled that during the period of emergency rule in the state, a ₦1.485 trillion budget was transmitted to the National Assembly 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 is expected to run until August 2026.
The APC further stated that the governor is not legally compelled to present a supplementary budget, adding that the constitution permits spending for up to six months into a new fiscal year.
The party pledged to do everything within its power to ensure that the APC-led government in Rivers State is not destabilised by internal disagreements, warning that the impeachment process could damage the party’s image and slow down development in the state.
Although Governor Fubara has not publicly reacted to the latest development, the Rivers APC has called on the House of Assembly to discontinue the impeachment process in the interest of peace and progress.
The party’s position followed the commencement of impeachment proceedings by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday. During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations against the governor, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
Jack listed seven allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature. The notice was signed by 26 lawmakers.
Amaewhule said the notice would be forwarded to the governor within seven days.
In a related move, the Deputy Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, presented a separate notice of allegations against Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, accusing her of reckless and unconstitutional spending, obstruction of legislative activities, and approving budgets outside the recognised Assembly.
The latest development marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara and Odu in less than one year. A similar move in March 2025 followed a political crisis between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which led to President Bola Tinubu declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
At the time, the president suspended the governor, his deputy and the House of Assembly for six months and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator. Fubara later returned to office after a reconciliation process facilitated by the president.
In December, Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC, stating that full identification with the ruling party was necessary to support President Tinubu effectively. His defection came after several Rivers lawmakers also joined the APC.
Rivers APC Rejects Impeachment Move Against Fubara, Warns of Political Instability
