Governor Fubara Has Committed an Impeachable Offence, Says Nyesom Wike

The ongoing political rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has taken a dramatic turn. In a recent statement, Wike accused Fubara of committing an impeachable offence, reigniting tensions in a feud that has divided the political landscape of Rivers State since October 2023. This accusation comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling earlier this month, which dismissed an appeal by Fubara challenging the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a group loyal to Wike.

The Conflict

The political crisis in Rivers State erupted when 27 lawmakers, aligned with Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, shortly after Fubara’s fallout with Wike, his former political mentor. This defection sparked a legal and political battle, with Fubara presenting the 2024 budget to a rival four-member faction of the Assembly led by Edison Ehie, rather than the Amaewhule-led group. The move was seen as an attempt to sidestep Wike’s influence, but it has now drawn sharp criticism and legal consequences.
Wike, who played a pivotal role in Fubara’s rise to the governorship, has repeatedly framed the current governor as his “political investment,” a narrative echoed by allies like Tony Okocha, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State. However, the relationship soured after Fubara assumed office, leading to a power struggle that has seen both camps vying for control of the state’s political machinery, including the PDP and the state legislature.

Wike’s Accusation

In an interview with reporters on February 28, 2025, Wike pointed to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Fubara’s appeal as evidence of the governor’s alleged overreach. “The court made it clear that we can’t have a democracy without the legislature,” Wike stated, emphasizing that Fubara’s refusal to recognize the Amaewhule-led Assembly and his decision to present the 2024 budget to a smaller faction constituted a violation of democratic principles. “Governor Fubara has committed an impeachable offence,” Wike declared, though he did not specify the exact legal grounds beyond citing the court’s ruling.
The Supreme Court’s decision on February 10, 2025, upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, dismissing Fubara’s challenge after his legal team withdrew the suit. The court also ordered Fubara to pay two million naira in costs to the Assembly, a ruling Wike’s camp has hailed as a victory. Wike argued that Fubara’s actions undermine the rule of law and the constitutional role of the legislature, potentially providing grounds for impeachment under the 1999 Constitution, which lists gross misconduct and violation of the constitution as impeachable offences.

Fubara’s Defense

The Rivers State Government, through its spokesperson Nelson Chukwudi, has downplayed the Supreme Court ruling and Wike’s accusations. Chukwudi described the legal battle as having become “academic” by the time it reached the Supreme Court, suggesting that Fubara’s withdrawal of the appeal was a strategic move rather than an admission of defeat. “The ruling was not a loss for Governor Fubara,” Chukwudi insisted, urging the public to disregard what he called “outdated political propaganda from desperate politicians.”
Fubara himself has not directly addressed Wike’s latest claims as of this writing. However, his administration has maintained that it is committed to the rule of law, dismissing earlier rumors such as a false social media claim in November 2024 that Fubara had shut down oil operations in the state as baseless attempts to discredit him.

Political Implications

Wike’s accusation has fueled speculation about a potential impeachment push against Fubara by the pro-Wike lawmakers, who retain a numerical advantage in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly. In January 2025, this faction overrode Fubara’s assent to pass three bills, demonstrating their willingness to flex their legislative muscle. However, any impeachment effort would require a two-thirds majority (22 votes), a threshold the Amaewhule-led group could meet if unified, though legal and political hurdles could complicate the process.
The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives, aligned with Fubara, has countered Wike’s narrative by insisting that the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers lost their seats upon defecting to the APC, citing constitutional provisions on defection. This claim, however, has not been upheld by the courts, leaving the Amaewhule faction in control of the legislative agenda for now.

A Divided State

The Fubara-Wike feud has polarized Rivers State, with prominent figures taking sides. Former Governor Peter Odili has been accused by Wike of encouraging Fubara to defy President Bola Tinubu, who mediated a peace deal between the two in 2023 a deal that later collapsed. Meanwhile, critics like Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed have branded Wike a “transactional politician” whose actions threaten the PDP’s unity.
As of February 28, 2025, the political temperature in Rivers State remains high. Wike’s assertion that Fubara has committed an impeachable offence has added a new layer of intensity to an already volatile situation. Whether this leads to a formal impeachment process or remains a rhetorical salvo in their ongoing war of words is uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the struggle for control of Rivers State is far from over, with implications that could ripple beyond the state’s borders as the 2027 elections loom on the horizon.
For now, residents of Rivers State and political observers nationwide await Fubara’s next move and whether Wike’s camp will escalate their efforts to unseat the governor they once installed.

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