Rivers: Fubara Breaks Silence As Impeachment Efforts Resume

Spread the love

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has appealed to citizens to maintain composure following the resumption of impeachment proceedings against him and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu by the State House of Assembly.

Addressing worshippers at a church service during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Fubara emphasized that his silence in the face of political attacks is intentional, rooted in faith rather than fear. Reflecting on a statement he made during the New Year Government House banquet, he said, “Dogs bark when they do not understand,” highlighting his belief that criticism often stems from misunderstanding rather than malice.

He reassured the public, stating, “I am confident in the power that comes from God. So I urge everyone to remain calm. Peace is what truly matters for this state, and by God’s grace, we will secure it.”

Deputy Governor Advocates Prayer and Responsible Conduct

Following Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu addressed the congregation, underscoring the importance of personal accountability and discipline. Drawing on the sermon delivered by Archbishop Blessing Eyinda of the Anglican Communion, Odu urged citizens to engage in constructive prayer and support the administration. She described spiritual intercession as “the backbone that keeps the government standing,” emphasizing that calm and prayerfulness are essential amid rising political tensions.

The renewed impeachment drive alleges that Fubara and Odu engaged in gross misconduct, including spending state funds without legislative approval. This marks another chapter in the ongoing political friction between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

A History of Impeachment Efforts

Rivers State has witnessed multiple attempts to remove Fubara since he assumed office in 2023:

October 2023: The Assembly accused Fubara of misconduct, but the process was paused after President Bola Tinubu intervened.
December 2023: Following a peace deal between Fubara and Wike, impeachment notices were formally withdrawn.
March 2025: Another attempt was launched; President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency, dissolving elected structures in Rivers State.
September 2025: Fubara resumed office after the emergency rule, following a temporary reconciliation with Wike.

Recent developments, however, indicate that previous truces have collapsed. Political relations further deteriorated after Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), intensifying friction with former allies and opposition lawmakers.

Analysis

Fubara’s measured public response suggests a strategy aimed at de-escalating tensions while projecting confidence in both legal and spiritual frameworks. Meanwhile, the Assembly’s persistence reflects enduring political rivalries in the state, where past interventions by the presidency and temporary reconciliations have only provided short-lived stability. Observers note that the latest impeachment move could test the resilience of Rivers State’s political institutions and the governor’s support base in the APC.