APC Vows to Stop Opposition From Impeaching Gov. Fubara

In a dramatic escalation of Rivers State’s political turmoil, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly vowed to thwart fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule and dominated by lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, initiated the move on January 8, 2026, citing allegations of gross misconduct, financial mismanagement, and violations of a 2023 peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu. This comes just after the lifting of a six-month state of emergency imposed in March 2025 amid violent clashes stemming from the Fubara-Wike feud. APC leaders, including local chapter heads, condemned the assembly’s actions as a politically motivated assault that could destabilize the region and undermine the party’s recent gains, especially following Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2025.

The assembly’s impeachment notice lists 19 specific grievances against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, including unauthorized expenditures, failure to present the 2024 budget, and the controversial demolition of the assembly complex in 2023, which they claim was an attempt to obstruct legislative oversight. Pro-Wike lawmakers, many of whom defected to the APC in 2023 but face ongoing legal challenges to their seats, argue that Fubara’s administration has operated without transparency, withholding funds meant for the legislature and inciting public unrest. Despite these claims, the process requires a two-thirds majority and could lead to further court battles, as previous attempts in 2023 and 2025 were stalled by judicial interventions and the emergency declaration.

APC’s response has been swift and unified at the state level, with the Rivers chapter issuing a statement urging the assembly to withdraw the notice immediately to prioritize governance and peace. Groups like the Progressive Mandate Group within the APC described the impeachment as an “assault on reconciliation efforts” that risks tarnishing the party’s image nationwide. While national APC leadership has yet to comment officially, local stakeholders warn that internal divisions—particularly loyalties to Wike, now the Federal Capital Territory Minister—could complicate matters. Critics suggest the move is a proxy battle in the enduring Wike-Fubara rivalry, with Wike’s influence still strong among the assembly members.

As tensions mount, civil society organizations and PDP factions have also rejected the impeachment, calling it destabilizing for Rivers State’s fragile recovery. Fubara, who has not yet responded publicly, faces a critical test of his administration’s resilience. Analysts predict that if the APC mobilizes fully, including potential interventions from President Tinubu, the proceedings could be halted, but failure to do so might deepen fractures within the party and the state. The coming days will reveal whether this vow translates into concrete actions to protect one of their newest high-profile members.