The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation, has condemned the deepening political crisis in Rivers State and the renewed impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement signed by its global president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the INC described the impeachment move by the Rivers House of Assembly as “a grave threat to democracy, peace, and stability in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.”
Okaba said the Assembly’s renewed impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, represented the third attempt since 2023, reflecting what he called “a relentless cycle of political vendetta that must be broken.” He stressed that the situation was no longer merely an Ijaw concern, but a fundamental threat to democratic governance.
According to the INC, the allegations cited by the Assembly—ranging from budgetary matters to gubernatorial appointments—were issues that should be addressed through lawful processes, not through what Okaba termed the “weaponisation of impeachment.”
He linked the renewed crisis to the collapse of a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025 to resolve the rift between Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. While the Assembly invoked Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, Okaba questioned the motives and speed of the process, warning that impeachment must not become a political tool.
The INC noted that voices across party lines, including within both the APC and the PDP in Rivers State, have also called for the impeachment efforts to be halted.
Calling on President Tinubu to “act decisively as the father of the nation,” the INC urged the presidency to defend constitutional order and guarantee neutrality in the dispute. Okaba warned that repeated impeachment threats following the president’s earlier intervention undermined efforts at stabilisation.
He further cautioned against the use of federal institutions to withhold statutory allocations from the state, describing such measures as unconstitutional and economically harmful to both Rivers and national unity.
The INC also appealed for calm, urging Ijaw people and other residents to remain law-abiding and avoid any actions that could lead to violence. Instead, it encouraged peaceful civic engagement, support for democratic institutions, and continued focus on development projects.
Okaba called on all stakeholders to return to dialogue, noting that past confrontations and emergency measures had failed to produce lasting peace. He urged the Rivers House of Assembly to prioritise its legislative duties, and for both the executive and legislature to cooperate in the interest of citizens.
He concluded that the INC remains committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation and pursue all lawful steps to protect the rights of residents and uphold democratic governance.!
