The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has opposed moves by lawmakers to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, warning that such action could destabilise the state and harm the party’s standing.
The development follows the commencement of impeachment proceedings against the governor and Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday.
The process began after a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, during which the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice outlining allegations and claims of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
At least 26 lawmakers were reported to have signed the notice, which the legislators said was issued in accordance with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule stated that the notice would be formally served on the governor within seven days, in line with legislative procedures.
In a similar move, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, also read a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
Reacting to the situation, the Rivers APC, in a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, said the party leadership had taken note of the “unfortunate developments” from the House of Assembly.
While recognising the constitutional independence of the legislature and its role in maintaining checks and balances, the party said it could not support impeachment proceedings 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 read.
The APC cautioned against allowing internal disagreements linked to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to spill over into the party, describing such a situation as unacceptable.
Addressing claims that the impeachment move was connected to budgetary matters, the party 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. The appropriation was subsequently approved by the Senate on June 25, 2025, and by the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025.
According to the statement, the budget was designed to cover a one-year period until August 2026, adding that the governor is not constitutionally required to present a supplementary budget if he is satisfied with the existing appropriation.
The APC further cited constitutional provisions that allow a governor to continue spending for up to six months into a new fiscal year.
The party leadership urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resist what it described as “pressures from outside the Assembly chambers” aimed at destabilising the administration.
“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.
It also called on the lawmakers to halt the impeachment process, warning that continuing with it could damage the APC’s image and hinder governance and development in the state.
“Let our state remain a democracy and not a politicocracy,” the statement noted.
The impeachment controversy comes amid a prolonged political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and former political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, a dispute that has continued to divide the state’s political landscape.
The APC has previously stated that Wike would “certainly be under” Governor Fubara should he decide to join the party, emphasising that leadership positions are determined by current office holders.
The APC Director of Information, Bala Ibrahim, made the remarks during an interview monitored on Trust TV.
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