The political landscape in Rivers State has plunged into a fresh crisis, with the State House of Assembly initiating impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday, January 8, 2026. This marks a significant escalation in the protracted power struggle between the governor and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The Core of the Conflict: Broken Agreements and Power Plays
Sources close to the matter have revealed that the impeachment move stems from more than surface-level allegations. At the heart of the renewed tension is Governor Fubara's alleged failure to honour agreements brokered during earlier peace interventions by President Bola Tinubu. A key part of this peace deal, according to reports, included a commitment from Fubara not to seek re-election in 2027.
Furthermore, the governor is said to have reneged on specific conditions, such as reinstating Sergeant Awuse as the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers' Council and appointing new commissioners. Fubara reportedly viewed these demands as a direct threat to his executive authority.
Budget Dispute Triggers Open Confrontation
The immediate trigger for the latest showdown was a disagreement over state finances. Allies of Minister Wike in the State Assembly allegedly pushed for a supplementary budget. Governor Fubara firmly rejected this proposal, insisting that the budget signed during a period of emergency rule was sufficient for his administration's needs.
This rejection prompted the FCT Minister to summon his allies, including assembly lawmakers, to a meeting at the Port Harcourt residence of an elder statesman, Ferdinand Anabraba. Sensing an imminent and serious political confrontation, Governor Fubara accelerated a major strategic move.
Defection to APC: A Calculated Counter-Move
With approval from President Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara expedited his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Insider sources indicate the strategy was clear: "bringing Fubara into the APC would weaken Wike’s leverage." This move is seen as a direct attempt to diminish the influence of his predecessor within the state's political calculus.
This impeachment notice is the third such action faced by Governor Fubara since he took office in 2023. President Tinubu has previously intervened on two occasions, with one intervention involving the declaration of a state of emergency. The peace established by these presidential interventions has visibly deteriorated since the Christmas period, with both Wike and Fubara engaging in public exchanges on social media.
The political future of Rivers State now hangs in the balance as these deep-seated rivalries play out in the assembly and beyond, testing the limits of political alliances and presidential influence.
