During a recent media briefing in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, addressed the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, asserting that the potential impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara would not trigger unrest or lawlessness.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, described impeachment as a legitimate process under constitutional provisions.
“If you have committed an offense to be impeached, what’s wrong? Is it a criminal offense? It’s provided in the constitution,” Wike stated emphatically.
He dismissed claims that such an action would cause chaos, stating, “I have heard people say: ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order.’ Rubbish! Nothing will happen.”
The controversy follows a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which rejected Governor Fubara’s challenge to the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The court directed the Assembly to resume legislative duties and instructed federal financial institutions to withhold funds from the Rivers State government until it complied with court orders.
In response, Governor Fubara expressed his commitment to implementing the court’s directives. He ordered the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to organize new local government elections, slated for August 9, 2025.
However, tensions escalated when the Assembly issued an arrest warrant against RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), accusing him of ignoring an invitation to appear before the lawmakers.
Efforts to reconcile the ongoing dispute have so far been unsuccessful. Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, sent a letter on March 7, 2025, proposing a discussion regarding the 2025 budget and potential peace talks. The Assembly, however, rejected the communication method, insisting that due process must be followed.
Wike criticized Governor Fubara’s approach to managing the crisis, particularly in how he communicated with the Assembly.
He argued that the situation could have been handled more diplomatically and suggested that the lawmakers’ decision to continue their legislative duties rather than going on recess showed their willingness to resolve the crisis.
