The political landscape in Rivers State, Nigeria’s oil-rich southern hub, has been engulfed in a prolonged political crisis since 2023, pitting former Governor Nyesom Wike against his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.
What began as a mentorship gone sour has escalated into repeated impeachment attempts, a state of emergency, and interventions by President Bola Tinubu.
The dispute has deeply entangled the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whose members are aligned with Wike, and has implications for national politics, especially within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As of January 9, 2026, the standoff remains unresolved, with new impeachment proceedings once again bringing tensions.
What Is The Crisis
At its core, the Rivers State political crisis is a power struggle over control of the state’s governance, resources, and political machinery.
It involves allegations of betrayal, constitutional violations, and financial misconduct.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, largely controlled by lawmakers loyal to Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has repeatedly moved to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
This has led to divisions within the assembly, legal battles, and disruptions to state administration.
Beyond the state, the crisis has fueled defections to the APC, sparked accusations of anti-party conduct, and intensified demands for federal intervention. It has also highlighted tensions between state autonomy and national political alliances, with President Tinubu’s peace accords failing to hold.
The latest escalation occurred on January 8, 2026, when the assembly initiated a third impeachment process against Fubara, citing gross misconduct such as unauthorized spending and demolition of the assembly complex.
The Root Cause
The roots trace back to the 2023 governorship election, where Wike, then Rivers Governor and a PDP leading figure, selected Fubara as his successor to maintain influence.
However, relations soured shortly after Fubara’s inauguration, with Wike accusing him of betraying a “peace agreement” that allegedly included not seeking a second term and allowing Wike’s allies to control key appointments.
Fubara has since moved to assert his autonomy, triggering disputes over budget approvals, the appointment of commissioners, and the control of local government funds.
The rivalry revolves around control of the PDP in Rivers State, fracturing the party and culminating in Fubara’s defection to the APC in December 2025. While the move strengthened the APC’s foothold in the state, it also deepened Wike’s resistance.
Wike has openly pledged to “correct the mistake of 2023” by preventing Fubara from securing a second term in 2027, arguing that such a victory would undermine his political legacy.
The crisis has been further inflamed by accusations of spending outside approved budgets, alleged refusal to release funds to the House of Assembly, and failure to comply with Supreme Court judgments affirming legislative autonomy.
Public exchanges have sharpened the rift, with Wike describing Fubara as a “mistake,” while the governor’s supporters counter with chants such as “Wike, you no be God,” framing the conflict as one driven by personal pride.
Political observers have characterised the standoff as a proxy battle, in which Wike is said to be using his federal cabinet role and loyal lawmakers to weaken Fubara, against the backdrop of wider national political manoeuvring.
The Events Shaping The Crisis
The Rivers State crisis has progressed through distinct stages, shaped by impeachment attempts, presidential interventions, and repeated breakdowns in reconciliation efforts.
Shortly after Fubara’s May 2023 inauguration, tensions emerged. In December 2023, Wike-loyal lawmakers attempted the first impeachment, citing gross misconduct. President Tinubu brokered a peace deal, but it quickly unraveled.
In March 2025, a second impeachment push prompted Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state, leading to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as administrator.
A fresh peace deal, again facilitated by Tinubu in June 2025, resulted in Fubara’s reinstatement in September, but disagreements over a supplementary budget and key appointments lingered.
Fubara’s defection to the APC in December 2025 triggered further political realignments, including defections by prominent figures such as former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus and ex-Governor Peter Odili. While this eroded Wike’s influence, it also intensified resistance from his allies.
The latest chapter unfolded on January 8, 2026, when the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, cut short its recess and issued Fubara an impeachment notice endorsed by 26 lawmakers.
The allegations span eight counts of misconduct, including alleged financial recklessness and actions said to obstruct legislative activities.
The notice, controversially addressed to Fubara as “madam,” is required under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution to be served within seven days.
The assembly also prevented the governor from presenting the 2026 budget pending the outcome of its probe. Around the same time, Fubara travelled abroad, reportedly to brief President Tinubu.
Under the constitution, the impeachment process involves the issuance of a notice, the setting up of an investigative panel, and a final two-thirds majority vote in the assembly for removal.
Different Perspectives From The Conflict
The crisis has produced sharply contrasting narratives, with key actors taking positions shaped largely by loyalty and political alignment
Wike
As FCT Minister and Fubara’s former mentor, Wike portrays the governor as ungrateful and untrustworthy.
He claims Fubara violated on agreements from Tinubu’s mediations, including not pursuing a second term and reinstating key allies like Sergeant Awuse as traditional rulers’ council chairman.
Wike has dismissed critics, calling himself “too strong” and accusing others of meddling in Rivers politics.
On his X handle (@GovWike), posts emphasize his governance legacy and subtly criticize disloyalty, though no direct recent statements on the impeachment . Supporters argue the crisis stems from Fubara’s “stolen mandate” and failure to honor pacts.
Fubara
Governor Fubara, via his X handle (@SimFubaraKSC), focuses on development and peace, urging Rivers residents to prioritize governance over conflict.
He denies reneging on agreements and accuses Wike of undue interference.
In a New Year’s message, Fubara pledged support for Tinubu without threats, emphasizing peaceful progress. His defection to APC was strategic to counter Wike’s leverage, with insiders noting it aimed to strengthen ties with Tinubu.
Fubara has remained silent on the latest impeachment but is reportedly seeking presidential intervention.
The Rivers Assembly
Led by Speaker Amaewhule (@rvhaofficial on X, though inactive in recent searches), the assembly insists the impeachment is constitutional, not Wike-influenced.
Amaewhule called Fubara a “mistake” and “threat to democracy,” citing budget refusals and assembly undermining. Lawmakers like Major Jack listed specifics: unconstitutional spending, illegal appointments, and fund seizures. They reject political solutions, vowing to proceed.
APC Governors And Leaders’ Perspectives
The APC Progressive Mandate Group condemned the impeachment as unconstitutional and a slap to Tinubu’s peace efforts, urging suspension.
Rivers APC, led by Chief Emeka Beke, rejected it as destabilizing, noting Fubara’s defection strengthened the party. However, some governors like Hope Uzodinma have backed Fubara, drawing Wike’s ire. National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda expressed support for Fubara’s re-election, signaling Aso Rock backing.
Political Leaders’ Reactions
Reactions to the renewed impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara have been sharply divided
The APC Leaders Forum and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement called for Wike’s removal over alleged insubordination and anti-party activities, staging a protest at the APC headquarters in Abuja on January 7, 2026.
Likewise, the APC Progressive Mandate Group denounced the impeachment as unconstitutional and a direct challenge to President Tinubu’s peace efforts, urging immediate intervention.
APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru publicly backed Fubara and demanded Wike’s resignation for interfering in party matters.
Several APC governors have reportedly rallied behind Fubara’s 2027 re-election campaign, viewing it as a strategic blow to Wike’s influence.
Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed accused Wike of “terrorism” through EFCC investigations, drawing a sharp rebuttal from the minister.
John Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo also criticized Wike, calling him “semi-illiterate,” which provoked strong responses.
Ethnic and regional organizations, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), condemned the impeachment attempt and urged a focus on governance rather than political squabbles.
Analysts like Ben Ukeji described the situation as a “distraction” that hampers development, while former militant Gabriel Asabuja called for resistance to what he termed Wike’s plot.
The Presidency has remained largely silent, with no official statements from aides such as Bayo Onanuga or Daniel Bwala, though past interventions suggest possible future involvement.
The crisis risks setting a “dangerous precedent” nationwide, with calls for National Assembly intervention.
As the proceedings continue, Rivers State’s political stability remains uncertain, underscoring the enduring influence of godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
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