A coalition of Nigerian professionals living abroad has issued a strong statement of support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The group has raised an alarm over renewed moves to impeach the governor, warning that such actions pose a severe threat to democratic stability and economic progress in the oil-rich state.
Diaspora Leaders Condemn Politically Motivated Impeachment
The position was detailed in a statement released on January 12, 2026, by the Nigerian Diaspora Professionals for Democratic Stability. The document was signed by the organization's president, Dr. Chukwudi Nnamani, and its secretary, Mr. Adewale Ogunsiwaju.
The diaspora body directly linked the latest impeachment push by the Rivers State House of Assembly to the prolonged and bitter political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. They described the impeachment process as a "political project" driven by entrenched power struggles rather than any genuine concern for constitutional accountability or good governance.
"The impeachment threats against Governor Fubara have become cyclical, predictable and politically motivated," the statement asserted. "This is no longer about oversight or constitutional accountability; it is about who controls Rivers State’s political structure and resources."
Legislative Overreach and Democratic Erosion
The professionals argued that the conduct of the state legislature has been compromised by factional loyalties since the relationship between Fubara and Wike broke down shortly after the governor took office. They accused the assembly of acting on behalf of external political interests instead of the electorate that voted them into power.
"It is impossible to ignore the context," the group stated. "The House of Assembly has been deeply polarised, with legislative actions reflecting allegiance to external political authority rather than the electorate. No democracy should tolerate a situation where a sitting governor is subjected to perpetual threats of removal for refusing to submit to political godfathers."
They emphasized that political disagreement or a governor asserting constitutional independence does not constitute the "gross misconduct" required for impeachment. The diaspora professionals warned that repeatedly weaponizing impeachment tools for political vendetta risks turning a vital constitutional safeguard into an instrument of chaos and supremacy.
Serious Risks to Economy and Investor Confidence
Beyond the political implications, the group highlighted the severe economic dangers of persistent instability in Rivers State. They cautioned that the continuous impeachment brinkmanship could cripple investor confidence, disrupt governance, and deepen institutional instability in a state that is central to Nigeria's economic output.
"Rivers State is not a playground for political brinkmanship," the statement read. "It is a strategic economic nerve centre, and governance cannot be held hostage to unresolved elite power struggles. Every impeachment threat sends a negative signal to investors, development partners and citizens who expect stability, not chaos."
The Nigerian Diaspora Professionals for Democratic Stability called on all political leaders, the judiciary, and critical stakeholders to pursue dialogue and exercise restraint. They concluded that frequent impeachment attempts only serve to erode public confidence in democratic institutions and threaten the long-term stability and prosperity of Rivers State.
This warning comes just two months after the suspension of emergency rule in the state and the reinstatement of democratic structures. Tensions have resurfaced between Governor Fubara and members of the state assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, with the lawmakers recently condemning the executive arm over issues of infrastructure decay in public schools.
