Fubara Impeachment Crisis: Ex-Commissioner Reveals Governor Once Agreed to ‘Do Anything for Peace’

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The fragile peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has completely collapsed.

The agreement had been intended to resolve the long-running power struggle between the two politicians, which eventually led to the declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. The six-month emergency rule placed the state under the control of retired Vice Admiral Ibok Etteh Ibas as sole administrator.

The initial reconciliation pact—signed on December 18, 2023—was heavily criticised nationwide and widely viewed as unfairly favouring Wike, with many arguing that it placed the governor under undue pressure.

That first accord, reached in the presence of prominent figures including former Governor Peter Odili and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, reportedly imposed several strict conditions on Governor Fubara.

Among these conditions were the withdrawal of all legal actions connected to the crisis, the suspension of impeachment proceedings, and acceptance of Martin Amaewhule and 27 pro-Wike lawmakers as the legitimate leaders of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Other provisions required Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly, reinstate the salaries and entitlements of lawmakers and Assembly workers, resend the names of commissioners who had resigned, and reverse the dissolution of local government councils.

Despite these demanding terms, sources say Fubara initially signaled his readiness to comply for the sake of restoring stability.

A former commissioner told Vanguard: “He said he was prepared to do whatever it took to bring peace back to Rivers State. He believed both sides could find common ground so the state could progress.”

But the governor soon faced a wave of public criticism. Many Nigerians urged him to reject the arrangement entirely, describing it as a “trap,” a “political suicide note,” and a betrayal of his mandate.

Fubara eventually abandoned the agreement, and tensions between both camps reignited.

With the conflict worsening, President Tinubu convened another round of peace talks in June 2025. However, insiders claim the new demands placed on the governor were even more extreme.

Fubara was reportedly told he should not interfere with local government chairmanship selections, dismiss his Chief of Staff Dr. Edison Ehie, and give up any intention of seeking a second term.

Political commentators argued the terms were designed to reduce the governor to a ceremonial figure with no real authority.

Political analyst Lucky Bassey told Vanguard: “This is not reconciliation. It is domination. It attempts to strip a sitting governor of constitutional powers and future political relevance.”

Is the Peace Agreement Legally Binding?

Debate has intensified over whether such a political agreement holds any legal weight.

A former Rivers chief of staff argued that political arrangements do not carry legal force:
“Even when agreements exist, a force majeure can void them. Fubara’s move from the PDP to the APC automatically changes everything.”

Similarly, former House of Representatives member Ogbonna Nwuke noted:
“The minister is still in the PDP, but the governor is now in the APC. Any previous agreement cannot still apply. You cannot deny a citizen their constitutional right to freedom of association.”

Nwuke added that Wike’s current political maneuvers stem from anxiety:
“If the APC offers Fubara an automatic second-term ticket, there is nothing Wike can do about it.”

Impeachment Proceedings Intensify

On Thursday, January 8, the Rivers State House of Assembly escalated the situation by launching impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing them of gross misconduct.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule stated that formal impeachment notices would be delivered to the governor and his deputy within seven days.

The Assembly listed several allegations, including unauthorized spending of state funds, interference with legislative operations, appointment of officials without proper vetting, and withholding salaries and allowances due to Assembly members.