The immediate-past Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has downplayed the implications of a possible impeachment of his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, by the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike dismissed concerns that impeaching Fubara would lead to chaos in the state. He argued that impeachment is a constitutional process and should not be seen as a crime.
“If you have committed an offence to be impeached, what’s wrong? Is it a criminal offence? It’s provided in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly?” Wike stated.
He further emphasized that if Fubara had violated constitutional provisions and the Assembly deemed it fit to remove him from office, there was nothing wrong with that decision.
“I have heard people say: ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order.’ Rubbish! Nothing will happen.”
Wike also suggested that the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had exercised restraint despite the political tensions. According to him, if the lawmakers were not interested in maintaining peace, they could have embarked on a six-month recess after the Supreme Court verdict, effectively stalling governance in the state.
Additionally, he dismissed a letter sent to the Assembly by Fubara, stating that the governor could have handled the situation better.
Supreme Court’s Verdict on the Rivers State Political Crisis
The prolonged political crisis in Rivers State took a significant turn on Friday, February 28, 2025, when the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a series of landmark rulings.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, a five-man panel of the apex court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Fubara, which sought to challenge the legitimacy of the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The court ruled in favor of the Assembly, affirming that Amaewhule and his colleagues should resume legislative activities immediately.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court imposed financial restrictions on the Rivers State Government as a consequence of its failure to comply with previous court orders. It ordered institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold funds from the state government until it fully complies with judicial directives.
The Supreme Court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, citing irregularities and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
Governor Fubara’s Response and RSIEC’s New Election Date
Following the Supreme Court verdict, Governor Fubara publicly committed to implementing the court’s rulings in full. As part of his response, he directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to prepare for a fresh local government election to replace the annulled one.
In compliance with this directive, RSIEC set August 9, 2025, as the date for the new local government election in Rivers State.
However, tensions escalated further when the House of Assembly issued an arrest warrant against the Chairman of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd). The warrant was issued after Enebeli failed to appear before the lawmakers when summoned.
Budget Re-presentation and Peace Talks Rejected by the Assembly
Amidst the political crisis, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, extended an invitation to the House of Assembly for a meeting on March 10, 2025. The meeting was intended to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and explore a possible peace agreement between the executive and legislative arms of government.
However, the House of Assembly rejected the invitation, stating that Governor Fubara must follow proper channels when communicating with them.
As the political landscape in Rivers State remains uncertain, the coming months will likely determine whether Governor Fubara can navigate these legal and legislative battles or face potential impeachment.