Political tensions in Rivers State have intensified as Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have warned against any move to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The groups stated that any attempt to remove the governor could lead to instability in the Niger Delta and negatively impact oil production.
Their warning comes as the 48-hour deadline set by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget expires today. The lawmakers had issued the ultimatum after a Supreme Court ruling on February 28 reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Assembly, further deepening the political standoff between the governor and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Supreme Court ruling also ordered the stoppage of financial allocations to the state and nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). Following the verdict, the Assembly resumed sittings and demanded that the governor submit the budget before the legislators commence their 12-week recess on March 7.
The INC, IYC, and other Ijaw groups have strongly opposed any plan to impeach Fubara, warning that such a move could spark widespread unrest. INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, criticized the threats against the governor, stating that the Ijaw people would not allow their first riverine governor in decades to be undermined.
Okaba also expressed concerns over the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that it ignored the historical and political contributions of the Ijaw people in Rivers State governance. He warned that any action against Fubara could have serious consequences for national peace and economic stability, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Prof. Okaba said.
The IYC has also called for caution, urging those behind the impeachment threats to reconsider their actions. IYC President Worldwide, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the Rivers State local government elections, describing it as “provocative and laughable.”
He further warned that any forceful removal of Fubara from office would be met with resistance from Ijaw youths and other groups in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, the IYC Eastern Zone has cautioned the Rivers Assembly against taking actions that could lead to violence in the state. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Datolu Sukubo, and Secretary, Tamunokuro Dango, the group vowed to resist any attempt to undermine the mandate given to Fubara.
“We are aware of alarming plans by certain elements to destabilize Rivers State and undermine the mandate given to our elected officials. The purported 48-hour ultimatum issued to the governor is a clear indication of an orchestrated effort to create chaos and potentially impeach the governor,” the statement read.
The IYC further warned that starving Rivers State of its financial allocations could lead to economic hardship for civil servants and hinder development projects. The group hinted at possible economic consequences if their concerns were ignored.
“As Ijaw people, we will not fold our hands and allow the continued political marginalization of our own. If Rivers State is starved of its economic rights, we will also starve the economy of Nigeria,” the IYC stated.
Security agencies in the state have remained tight-lipped about the threats of unrest. The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, declined to comment, directing inquiries to the Commissioner of Police, who was unavailable at the time of the report. Similarly, the Nigerian Navy and the Army have distanced themselves from the political dispute, stating that they would continue to discharge their constitutional duties.
In the midst of the crisis, RSIEC has announced plans to reschedule the nullified local government elections. The chairman of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), stated that a stakeholders’ meeting would be held today, March 5, to unveil a new timetable and guidelines for the election.
Meanwhile, local government chairmen who were sacked in 2015 following a court ruling have now declared their intention to return to office. They argue that the recent Supreme Court decision has created vacancies, making them the rightful occupants of the positions. Benson Imie, a former chairman of Andoni Local Government, stated that they would resume office once they obtain copies of the court judgment.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged for peace, calling on communities to embrace dialogue rather than violent protests. NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the need for peaceful engagement with the government, noting that conflict resolution should be prioritized.
However, some community leaders and activists have dismissed the NDDC’s peace efforts as ineffective. The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Oladimeji, argued that conflict in the Niger Delta stems from long-standing issues such as marginalization and deprivation.
“This exercise is just a jamboree. Conflict does not arise on its own; it is a result of cheating, neglect, marginalization, and deprivation. If these are not addressed, then asking people to manage crises is a joke,” he said.
Similarly, Niger Delta Women Coordinator, Chinwe Njoku, accused the NDDC of being a major contributor to unrest in the region. She alleged that the agency neglects oil-producing communities while awarding contracts and employment opportunities to outsiders.
