The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has cautioned that any attempt to remove Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office could lead to serious economic consequences for Nigeria.
The warning comes after lawmakers blocked the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, preventing Governor Fubara from presenting the 2025 budget, as directed by the Supreme Court. The INC has condemned the actions of the lawmakers and accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of fueling the political crisis for personal reasons.
Speaking on Wednesday, INC President Professor Benjamin Okaba criticized the lawmakers, stating that their actions show they are not concerned about the welfare of Rivers people but are instead following Wike’s instructions.
“These lawmakers are acting this way because Wike personally financed their election. He handpicked them, and he said so publicly. That is why I am not surprised by their behavior,” Okaba said.
He also noted that the blockade of the Assembly Complex was a reckless move, despite Governor Fubara’s decision to obey the Supreme Court ruling.
“Some people say Sim Fubara is weak, but he is only respecting the rule of law. He assured the President that he would implement the Supreme Court’s judgment, so why should the lawmakers block him from entering the Assembly?”
Okaba further pointed out the contradictions in the lawmakers’ actions, questioning their demands.
“These same lawmakers gave the Governor 48-hour and 72-hour ultimatums to present the budget. They also demanded that he sack 19 Commissioners. If he sacks the Commissioners, including the Commissioner for Finance, who then prepares the budget?”
The INC President issued a strong warning against any forced removal of Fubara, saying it would lead to serious consequences.
“If they go ahead and impeach Sim Fubara recklessly, we will resist it. The consequences will be too heavy for the entire country to bear. This is not a threat—it is a reality.”
Okaba also dismissed Wike’s recent statements regarding the Ijaw people, saying they would not cause division between the Ikwerre and Ijaw ethnic groups.
“Ikwerre and Ijaw will never go to war because of Wike. The Ikwerre people have already apologized to the Ijaw nation for Wike’s behavior toward Fubara.”
He added: “If the President of Ogbakor Ikwerre, my contemporary, had spoken, I would have responded differently. But since it is Wike, I will not dignify him with a reply. Ikwerre is not at war with Ijaw—Wike is simply at war with himself.”
