The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed concerns over the possible impeachment of his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that such a move would not cause any unrest.
Speaking during a media session in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), asserted that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has the constitutional right to remove Fubara if he is found guilty of impeachable offences.
One of the allegations against the governor is withholding lawmakers’ salaries for several months.
“If an offence warrants impeachment, what’s the issue? Is it a crime? The constitution allows it. Am I even a member of the Assembly?” Wike questioned.
He criticized the notion that impeaching Fubara could lead to chaos, dismissing such concerns as baseless.
“I’ve heard people say that if he is impeached, law and order will collapse. Rubbish! Nothing will happen,” he said.
Wike further stated that if the Assembly was not interested in maintaining peace, it could have gone on a six-month recess following the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s prolonged political crisis.
He also criticized a letter Fubara recently sent to the lawmakers, suggesting that the governor could have handled the matter more effectively.
AFRIPOST had reported that the Supreme Court, on February 28, 2025, delivered key rulings regarding the political tension in Rivers State.
In a decision read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, a five-member panel dismissed Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly. The court upheld the Assembly’s authority and directed it to resume legislative activities immediately.
Additionally, the apex court prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other financial institutions from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with previous court orders.
The court also nullified the local government elections held in the state on October 5, 2024.
Following the judgment, Fubara pledged to implement the court’s directives, instructing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to organize fresh local government elections. RSIEC subsequently scheduled the polls for August 9, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Assembly issued an arrest warrant for RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, over his failure to appear before lawmakers.
In an attempt to address the political impasse, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, invited lawmakers to a meeting on March 10, 2025, to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and peace negotiations.
However, the Assembly insisted that the governor follow proper procedures for such engagements.
