Tensions have sharply escalated in Rivers State following threats to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Prominent Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), have issued stern warnings, declaring their readiness to defend Fubara’s mandate. The groups have cautioned that any attempt to remove him from office could destabilize the entire Niger Delta and severely impact the region’s vital oil production.
This political crisis intensified after the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 state budget. The standoff comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which reinforced the Assembly’s legitimacy and mandated the seizure of state allocations. The ruling also nullified the controversial October 2024 local government elections, sparking a renewed battle between Fubara and legislators loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The INC and IYC, reacting to these developments, have united in opposing any move to impeach Fubara, calling such actions a direct threat to peace and stability in the region. Benjamin Okaba, the President of the INC, condemned the Assembly’s actions, asserting that removing Fubara would create chaos in the Niger Delta, a region critical to the nation’s oil industry. He reminded the Assembly that the Ijaw people have made significant sacrifices in the political development of Rivers State, including crucial support in previous elections that ensured the success of key political figures.
“The Ijaw people will not stand by while our first riverine governor in decades is undermined,” Okaba declared. “Any attempt to undermine Governor Fubara will have dire consequences not just for the people of Rivers, but for the entire Niger Delta. If this happens, we cannot guarantee the continued peace and stability that has led to the rise in oil production.”
The IYC, led by Theophilus Alaye, also voiced its discontent with the Supreme Court’s recent decision, particularly the nullification of the 2024 local government elections. Alaye described the ruling as provocative and claimed it was part of a larger plan to destabilize the state. He accused the Supreme Court of siding with those seeking to disrupt the will of the people and warned that the youth of the Niger Delta would fiercely resist any efforts to impeach Fubara.
The IYC further warned that such an impeachment could trigger economic consequences for the country, especially considering the vital role that Rivers State plays in Nigeria’s oil production. “We will not stand by while our leaders are removed through undemocratic means,” Alaye said. “If Rivers State’s political stability is undermined, it will have repercussions far beyond our borders, impacting oil production and national economic security.”
The political dispute has also drawn attention to the role of security agencies. While the Rivers State Police have declined to comment on the issue, other security services, including the Nigerian Navy and the Army, have stated that the situation is political in nature. Despite the growing tensions, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called for peaceful engagement and dialogue. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the NDDC, emphasized the need for proactive conflict resolution, urging community leaders to adopt non-violent approaches to address grievances.
However, local leaders remain unconvinced. The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Oladimeji, dismissed the NDDC’s efforts, calling them insufficient and criticizing the Federal Government for neglecting the needs of oil-producing communities. “Conflict does not arise out of thin air; it is a result of deprivation and marginalization,” Oladimeji said. “Until these issues are addressed, peace cannot be achieved.”
The Ijaw groups have also expressed frustration with the continued political exclusion of their people, not only in Rivers State but across the Niger Delta. They have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the ongoing political instability could have lasting consequences for the region’s governance and oil production.
As the crisis deepens, the potential for further unrest remains high, with local communities on edge and calls for both political leaders and the government to take decisive action before the situation escalates beyond control. The Ijaw groups have made it clear that they will not allow Fubara’s mandate to be undermined, and they are prepared to take action to defend the rights of the people they represent.
In a related development, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged the region’s communities to embrace peaceful dialogue to address grievances rather than resort to violent protests. Despite these calls, local groups remain skeptical, pointing to a history of unmet promises and the failure of past initiatives to resolve the region’s long-standing issues.
As the political tensions continue to rise, the fate of Governor Fubara hangs in the balance, with the Ijaw people making it clear that they will not allow their political representation to be sidelined or undermined.
