INC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Impeach Fubara

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned that the people of Rivers State oppose the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging the state Assembly, perceived to be loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, to abandon the plan.

Similarly, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council condemned the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly over ongoing impeachment proceedings targeting Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. Both groups argued that the attempt is likely to fail and accused lawmakers of pursuing personal interests under the guise of constitutional process.

The INC described the impeachment effort as futile, particularly criticizing lawmakers of Ijaw descent who have publicly supported the move despite the governor being one of their own. In a Sunday interview, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba said the actions of certain Assembly members amounted to betrayal.

“Yes, I am confident this will ultimately be a futile exercise,” Okaba said. “There is widespread public opposition because this is clearly a vendetta disguised as impeachment. It is not about democracy or development; it is about personal interest over the state’s interest.”

He also criticized four lawmakers who initially withdrew from the impeachment process only to reverse their decision within 48 hours, describing the actions as lacking principle. “Some Ijaw members in the House claimed to support the impeachment. They do not speak for the Ijaw people, have not consulted their constituents, and lack Ijaw consciousness,” he added.

Okaba further condemned lawmakers for allegedly accepting public funds while pursuing the impeachment. “Some collected vehicles worth N350 million during suspensions, and others benefited similarly. These actions clearly show self-interest,” he said.

He accused Assembly Speaker Amaewhule of orchestrating the impeachment to position himself for a future governorship. “The Speaker should compete for office directly, not undermine the system to become governor from the backdoor,” Okaba said.

The INC President also defended Deputy Governor Odu, emphasizing that she has done nothing to warrant impeachment. “Even if the governor faltered, what has the deputy done to be included? Such selfishness will set our democracy back years if allowed,” he said.

Supporting the INC, Anabs Sara-Igbe of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council described the impeachment as embarrassing for both President Bola Tinubu and the people of Rivers State. “The Assembly members are not fighting Fubara—they are fighting Rivers people and trying to stall development,” Sara-Igbe said.

He also criticized lawmakers for disregarding the emergency rule imposed in the state and alleged they had already benefited financially during that period. Sara-Igbe further condemned Wike for early political campaigning under the guise of ‘thank you’ visits, calling it disrespectful to the President and the state.

Warning of potential destabilization, he said, “The impeachment will fail. As soon as the panel finds the governor not guilty, the matter ends. Rivers people are tired of these tactics.”

He cautioned Wike and his supporters that continuing the impeachment could create wider problems in the state, region, and country. “If they persist, they should be prepared, but the process will not succeed,” he said.

The warnings from the INC and Rivers elders come amid heightened political tension in the state, where impeachment proceedings have deepened divisions within the House of Assembly and sparked broader debate over governance, accountability, and political ambition.