Rivers crisis: N’Delta groups threaten violence if Fubara is impeached

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) have warned the Rivers House of Assembly against impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying that such move could rupture the peace enjoyed in the state or disrupt oil production.

The warning became necessary following the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget for approval.

The Supreme Court had, last week, reaffirmed the legitimacy of Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Consequently, the House of Assembly had on Monday asked Governor Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget in 48 hours, which expires today.
Fearing that this could lead to Governor Fubara’s impeachment, Benjamin Okaba, the INC president, who is also a professor, said: “If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production.”

He said in 1999, an Ijaw leader, Marshal Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse.

Okaba explained that Harry also ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party.

“In 2003, the INC recalled that when Marshal Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people.”

He said in 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played critical roles in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.

“In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Tonye Cole as a minister,Patience Jonathan, wife of the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead.”

He said despite these sacrifices by the Ijaw people, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group are seeking to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades.

Similarly, Theophilus Alaye, IYC President Worldwide, criticsed the ruling of the Supreme Court, saying that they had got the youth restive.
“We found the Supreme Court nullification of the Rivers State local government elections very provocative and laughable, as other states equally relied on the 2023 INEC voters register to conduct local government elections.

“The verdict has confirmed our suspicion that the frequent boast of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that a tsunami will soon rock Rivers State shows that the apex court is working hand in glove with him to destroy the state.”

He said Rivers, as a major contributor to the national coffers, should not be starved of funds from their God-given natural endowment.

The group urged the apex court to review the judgment because it has agitated the youths of Ijaw nation who have maintained peace in the Niger Delta and supported the President Bola Tinubu-led’s federal government.

Also, the IYC, Eastern Zone, also warned the Rivers Assembly against impeaching Governor Fubara, noting that it would plunge the state into crisis.