Ijaw Youth Council condemns Fubara’s impeachment, calls for sack of Wike

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned the impeachment proceedings initiated against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing the move as an affront to democracy and the collective will of the people of the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, IYC President, Alaye Theophilus, said the process being driven by the Rivers State House of Assembly was unacceptable and politically motivated. He warned that the action could further destabilise the oil-rich state if not immediately halted.

Theophilus also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom the group accused of fomenting political unrest in Rivers State.

“The latest developments in Rivers State have revealed the true enemies of the state. We call for the immediate sack of the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike. It has been clearly shown that he is not a true democrat but an enemy of democracy and good governance,” he said.

The IYC leader insisted that the impeachment move runs contrary to the wishes of Rivers people, noting that Governor Fubara enjoys widespread grassroots support, particularly among the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

He reaffirmed the council’s support for both Governor Fubara and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, praising the president for what he described as his “democratic disposition and commitment to national stability.”

“The Ijaw Youth Council and the entire Ijaw ethnic nationality are fully behind the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 and Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a second term,” Theophilus declared.

The Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier on Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing them of gross misconduct. During plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule said the notice of allegations would be served on the governor within seven days.

However, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has also rejected the impeachment process, warning lawmakers against actions capable of plunging the state into another political crisis.

The latest development marks the second impeachment attempt against Fubara in less than a year, following a similar move in March 2025 after a political fallout between the governor and Wike. That crisis led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and the House of Assembly for six months, while appointing a sole administrator to oversee the state.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government has yet to officially react to the renewed impeachment proceedings.