Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should be impeached if he is found to have violated the constitution.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike emphasized that politics should not be taken lightly and that removing the governor would not constitute a criminal offense.

“Politics is not play. If you have committed an offence to be impeached, what’s wrong? Is it a criminal offence? It’s provided in the constitution. Am I a member of the assembly?” he asked.

He further stated: “If you have committed an offence that violates the constitution, and the assembly deems it fit to say you should be impeached.”

Addressing concerns that impeachment might lead to unrest, Wike dismissed such fears, saying: “I have heard people say, ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order.’ Rubbish! Nothing will happen.”

Defending his stance on legal processes, Wike questioned how a small number of lawmakers could pass laws and expect them to be recognized.

“I cannot believe that in this country, we are saying that three members of the house will sit and pass a law, and they are talking about going to the Supreme Court,” he said.

“Speakers and assembly members are not our children; they are elected representatives. They are not your servants. You sit with them, engage with them. I traveled with my speakers, and I built relationships. It’s not a master-servant arrangement.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, Tony Okocha, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Rivers State, called on Fubara to resign or face impeachment.

Okocha described Fubara’s recent invitation to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly as an attempt to mislead the public, calling it a “Greek gift.”

Political Background

The political crisis in Rivers State stems from an ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike.

On February 28, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling from the Federal High Court barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to the state government.

The court also nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State.

On Sunday, Fubara invited Amaewhule and his group for a meeting, seen as an attempt to ease tensions within the House of Assembly.

However, Wike criticized Fubara’s approach, arguing that instead of writing a formal letter, he should have directly reached out to Amaewhule and his team to discuss the issues.

He dismissed Fubara’s invitation as “useless.”