APC Rejects Impeachment Moves Against Rivers Governor Fubara, Warns Assembly Against Destabilisation
“The Rivers State APC has rejected impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, warning the State Assembly against actions that could destabilise governance and democracy in Rivers State.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected the ongoing moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, warning that such actions could destabilise governance in the state.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Rivers State House of Assembly formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara over allegations of “gross misconduct.”
During the plenary, the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, reportedly described the governor as a “mistake” and accused him of actions he said amounted to gross misconduct.
Reacting to the development, the Rivers APC leadership, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, described the impeachment process as “untenable” and cautioned lawmakers against actions capable of plunging the state into political instability.
“The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has been drawn to the latest unfortunate developments emanating from the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the constitutional independence of the legislature, the party stressed that checks and balances must be exercised responsibly.
“We concede that the legislature is an independent arm in the tripod of governance, and that its constitutional responsibilities of checks and balances fall within its democratic purview,” the APC stated.
However, the party made its position clear, stating, “Our position, as of today, is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our governor and his deputy.”
According to the APC, the impeachment threat appears to be rooted in lingering political disputes inherited from internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It will be totally untenable for our party to remain silent while an obvious hangover from the strife that occurred within the PDP is allowed to resurface and destabilise governance in our great party,” the statement added.
The party further noted that the impeachment threat seemed to centre on budgetary disagreements, offering constitutional clarifications on the matter.
“It is important to inform Rivers people and Nigerians that since the latest impeachment threat centres on budgetary issues, we must recall that during the period of emergency rule, a budget was transmitted to the National Assembly by the President and Commander-in-Chief in May 2025,” the APC said.
The party explained that the budget, amounting to ₦1.485 trillion, was approved by the Senate on June 25, 2025, and by the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025, and is expected to run until August 2026.
“Interestingly, this budget covers a one-year period, and if the governor is comfortable with its composition, he may elect not to present any supplementary budget. Besides, the constitution allows a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year by a state governor,” the statement noted.
The APC also warned lawmakers against alleged external interference aimed at destabilising the Fubara administration.
“We therefore strongly advise all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, especially APC members, to resist pressures from outside the Assembly chambers intended to destabilise the Government of Rivers State, led by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara,” the party cautioned.
Emphasising its commitment to internal unity and democratic stability, the party added, “Let it be known that our party will do everything possible to ensure that the Government of Rivers State, which is an APC government, is not destabilised through fratricidal disagreements.”
The APC concluded by urging lawmakers to immediately halt the impeachment process in the interest of the state’s progress.
“We therefore call on members of the State Assembly, especially APC members, to immediately discontinue the impeachment process so as not to drag the image of our great party into the mud or stifle the continuous progress and development of Rivers State,” the statement read.
“Let our state remain a democracy and not a politicocracy!!!”
