President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly moved to intervene in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, amid fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The intervention comes as tensions between the governor and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reach a new and potentially destabilising peak.
Highly placed sources close to the Presidency disclosed that Tinubu has summoned Wike for a crucial meeting to address the Rivers situation. The meeting, according to the sources, is expected to take place outside Nigeria, as the President is currently on an overseas trip. In a related development, Governor Fubara is also said to have travelled out of the country, reportedly with plans to meet the President in France as part of efforts to de-escalate the crisis.
These developments coincide with the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be aligned with Wike. During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader read a formal notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct against the governor.
The allegations against Fubara include the demolition of the State Assembly complex, spending funds outside approved budgets, withholding statutory allocations meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the legislature. His deputy, Odu, is accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure, obstructing legislative activities, and allowing unauthorised persons to occupy government offices without proper screening.
The Speaker described the impeachment notice as being in the interest of Rivers State, accusing the governor of frustrating legislative functions, including failing to present the 2026 budget to the House. The Assembly resolved that the notice be served on the governor within seven days, after which further legislative action would follow. Plenary was adjourned to January 15.
The unfolding events have revived memories of the earlier phase of the Rivers crisis, which led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state in March 2025. At the time, Fubara and his deputy were suspended for six months following intense political instability and fears of a breakdown of law and order. Tinubu later mediated between Fubara and Wike, brokered a truce, and restored normal democratic governance.
However, barely months after the emergency rule ended, the fragile peace collapsed. Wike publicly accused Fubara of betraying agreements reached during the reconciliation process, while the governor responded with subtle but pointed criticisms of his former political mentor. The renewed impeachment move is widely seen as the climax of this renewed confrontation.
Sources within the Presidency suggest that Tinubu is concerned about the broader national implications of the Rivers crisis, particularly its potential impact on security and oil production in the Niger Delta. A senior official familiar with the matter warned that removing the first Ijaw governor of Rivers State through impeachment could inflame ethnic tensions and provoke unrest among youths in the oil-producing region.
According to the source, the President views any attempt to destabilise Rivers State as contrary to national interest and an affront to his authority. The source added that Tinubu is determined to prevent a repeat of the instability that previously necessitated emergency rule, stressing that Wike would not be allowed to “ride roughshod” over democratic institutions.
While some presidential aides said they were not officially aware of a scheduled meeting between Tinubu and Wike, they confirmed that the President is currently in France and is expected to proceed to the United Arab Emirates. They noted that any foreign trip by the FCT minister would logically be tied to an appointment with the President.
Within the All Progressives Congress, dissatisfaction over the crisis is reportedly growing. Senior party figures are said to be planning to meet the President upon his return to Nigeria to express concern over Wike’s role in the Rivers dispute. Party insiders argue that Fubara, who has aligned with the APC, should be allowed to govern without intimidation, regardless of future electoral calculations.
An administrative official at the APC national secretariat disclosed that many party leaders believe Wike has failed to respect both the President and the party, warning that continued hostility could damage the APC’s standing in Rivers State and beyond. Some leaders reportedly hold the view that even if Fubara does not seek another term, he should be permitted to complete his tenure without disruption.
Wike’s allies, however, have rejected claims that the minister is behind the impeachment process. An associate of the FCT minister insisted that the Rivers lawmakers are acting independently and dismissed allegations that Wike is disrespecting the President. The ally described such claims as mischievous, stressing that Wike remains a loyal supporter of Tinubu.
As political actors trade accusations, observers warn that the Rivers crisis poses a serious test for Tinubu’s leadership and crisis management skills. With impeachment proceedings underway and behind the scenes negotiations reportedly ongoing, the coming days are expected to determine whether dialogue prevails or the state is plunged into another round of political turmoil with national consequences.
