Tinubu Allegedly Warns Rivers Lawmakers to Halt Impeachment Move

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Emerging reports on Monday suggest that impeachment efforts against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may have been temporarily suspended following alleged intervention by President Bola Tinubu. The development comes after political tensions escalated in the state last week.

Last Thursday, 26 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, many aligned with Nyesom Wike, moved to initiate impeachment motions against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The legislators cited alleged gross misconduct as grounds for the proceedings.

A respected elder from the Niger Delta and prominent Ijaw leader, who spoke with Vanguard, expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved peacefully.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for the governor. Light always prevails over darkness and impunity,” he said.

The elder added that discreet negotiations were underway to de-escalate tensions but refrained from disclosing specifics. “We are taking several measures in the background, which I cannot disclose. But I can assure you that the impeachment process will not succeed. By God’s grace, all these issues will be resolved,” he noted.

Alleged Presidential Orders

According to unverified reports, President Tinubu, who also serves as APC’s national leader, has instructed the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately suspend all impeachment proceedings targeting Fubara and his deputy. The directive reportedly included guidance for the lawmakers to engage with the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for further advice.

Observers suggest that the alleged presidential intervention reflects an effort to maintain party cohesion and prevent further polarization in Rivers State, where tensions between the APC and supporters of Wike have intensified in recent months.

Political analysts argue that halting the impeachment at this stage could signal the administration’s preference for negotiation and internal conflict resolution over open confrontation. By encouraging lawmakers to pause their actions, the leadership aims to stabilize the state’s political climate while safeguarding the interests of both the party and governance continuity.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the impeachment, local sources indicate that backchannel discussions are ongoing to reconcile factions within the APC in Rivers, highlighting the delicate balance between grassroots loyalty and party discipline.

Commentary

The situation in Rivers State underscores the complexities of Nigerian state politics, where internal party rivalries and federal influence often intersect. While the intervention, if confirmed, might avert an immediate political crisis, analysts caution that unresolved tensions could resurface if deeper grievances between political factions are not addressed. This episode also demonstrates how party leaders, including the President, can wield influence to shape state-level political outcomes without overt legislative action.