Tinubu Reportedly Warns Rivers Lawmakers to Desist From Impeachment Move Against Fubara

Fresh indications emerged on Monday that the impeachment process initiated against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may not progress, following alleged behind the scenes interventions and a reported warning from President Bola Tinubu.

Last Thursday, 26 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress in the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers, who are largely aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct.

However, developments surrounding the process suggest that the political crisis may soon be resolved. A prominent Niger Delta elder and Ijaw leader, who spoke to Vanguard on the matter, expressed confidence that the impeachment move would not succeed.

According to the elder, several efforts are currently ongoing behind the scenes to prevent the situation from escalating. Although he declined to disclose specific details of the interventions, he maintained that the governor would survive the impeachment attempt.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for the governor. There is always light over darkness, right over impunity,” the Ijaw leader said.

He further assured that the impeachment process would not go far and that all issues surrounding the political crisis would eventually be settled.

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that President Bola Tinubu, who is also the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, has directed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately suspend all impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

According to Vanguard, the President reportedly instructed the lawmakers to consult with the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, for further guidance on how to proceed.

The President was also said to have warned the legislators to refrain from actions capable of further polarising Rivers State and deepening political tensions within the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an official statement confirming the alleged directive.