The Rivers State political crisis has deepened as Governor Siminalayi Fubara faces growing calls for his resignation or impeachment.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State Government have rejected these demands, which were made by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Despite mounting pressure, Fubara has vowed to remain steadfast in his leadership. Speaking to his supporters, he reassured them that he would not be discouraged by the ongoing political tension.
“I want to assure you, it doesn’t matter what the situation might be today, we will come up again stronger and better,” he declared.
The APC faction, led by Chief Tony Okocha, has accused Fubara of mismanaging the state and failing to honor previous agreements aimed at resolving the political crisis. Okocha insisted that the governor should either step down voluntarily or face impeachment.
“The options before Siminalayi Joseph Fubara are two: he should honorably resign or be impeached because he has run the state aground and disrespected Mr. President,” Okocha stated.
He also dismissed Fubara’s invitation for dialogue with the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, calling it a “Greek gift.” The governor had extended the invitation following a Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the 27 lawmakers as legitimate members of the Assembly.
Reacting to Okocha’s remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed his statements as baseless. He described Okocha as an “impostor” who no longer holds a legitimate position in the APC.
“I’ve decided not to be reckoning with what Chief Okocha says because he’s not a consistent person. He doesn’t have any moral grounds to make that call (impeachment),” Johnson said.
The PDP has also condemned the APC faction’s stance, with its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accusing them of attempting to destabilize the state.
“All we can say is that the man is hallucinating. He is in a dream world and we can’t stop him from dreaming,” Ologunagba said. He further noted that Fubara remains popular among the people of Rivers State and has been fulfilling his responsibilities effectively.
The crisis has also led to a legal battle over the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC. A non-governmental organization, Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, has given Fubara a seven-day ultimatum to take legal action against the lawmakers for perjury.
Meanwhile, Rivers elders and political leaders have called for calm. Former Governor Rufus Ada-George urged all parties to prioritize peace and stability in the state.
“It’s time for us to come together as one cohesive, united people in our quest for peace and prosperity,” Ada-George said.
Fubara has assured the people that his administration remains focused on development. Speaking at the inauguration of the Nyeweali Akpor Kingdom palace, he reiterated his commitment to peace.
“Please continue to follow my footstep, and that footstep remains the path of peace. We need it because if anything happens, we are the greatest losers,” he said.
