• Fubara impeachment plot faces strong resistance from INC and Rivers elders

• Rivers Assembly crisis deepens as lawmakers loyal to Wike warned to back down

• Rivers politics at risk as elders caution impeachment may fail and trigger unrest

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council have strongly opposed the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, describing the move as selfish, vindictive and anti-people.

The groups warned the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, particularly members allegedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately discontinue the impeachment proceedings, insisting that the people of Rivers State are overwhelmingly against the action.

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Speaking on behalf of the INC, its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the impeachment plot would ultimately collapse, stressing that it was driven by personal interests rather than democratic principles or development concerns.

Okaba described the action of some lawmakers, especially those of Ijaw extraction backing the impeachment, as a betrayal of their people, noting that they neither consulted their constituents nor represented the position of the Ijaw nation.

“There is massive public outcry within and outside Rivers State because this is clearly a vendetta being pursued through the instrument of impeachment. It has nothing to do with democracy or development but personal ambition,” he said.

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The INC President also criticised the lawmakers who initially distanced themselves from the process before reversing their stance within 48 hours, describing the move as evidence of a lack of principles.

He further accused Assembly members of benefiting from public funds while pushing for impeachment, alleging that vehicles worth about ₦350 million were distributed to them during the period.

Okaba alleged that the impeachment was being orchestrated by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in a bid to advance his personal political ambition, warning that attempts to seize power through the “backdoor” would damage the state’s democratic system.

He also questioned the inclusion of the deputy governor in the impeachment move, insisting that Prof. Odu had committed no offence warranting such action.

Backing the INC, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, described the impeachment plot as embarrassing and a direct affront to President Bola Tinubu and the people of Rivers State.

Sara-Igbe accused the lawmakers of ingratitude and claimed their actions were aimed at stalling governance and development in the state. He also alleged that the Assembly members had already benefited financially during the period of emergency rule and federal oversight in the state.

He challenged those behind the impeachment to publish any agreement they claimed Governor Fubara failed to honour, insisting that Rivers people remained solidly behind the governor.

Sara-Igbe warned that continuing with the impeachment could plunge the state, the Niger Delta region and the country into crisis, stressing that the process would eventually fail.

He cautioned Wike and his supporters to reconsider their actions, saying Rivers people were tired of political gimmicks and would resist any attempt to undermine their mandate.

The elders and INC maintained that the impeachment move would hit the rocks and urged lawmakers to prioritise peace, stability and the collective interest of Rivers State over personal ambition.