“Warns Suspended Governor Fubara: Reconcile or Face Impeachment in Rivers Crisis”

In a dramatic escalation of the political standoff in Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, emphasizing that only genuine reconciliation with lawmakers can shield him from imminent impeachment. The caution was delivered during a press briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday by Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in the state.

Okocha’s remarks come in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s controversial March 18 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, triggered by a bitter feud between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara. The fallout from this conflict led to the suspension of the governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly. In their place, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator for a six-month tenure to stabilize the state.

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The political impasse has not only stirred constitutional debates but also drawn national attention. With the June 12 Democracy Day celebration approaching, speculation is mounting that President Tinubu may use the occasion to reinstate Governor Fubara. However, the APC in Rivers State maintains that such a gesture must be preceded by demonstrable reconciliation between Fubara and the lawmakers he allegedly alienated.

 APC Urges Reconciliation or Impeachment for Suspended Governor Fubara

Tony Okocha did not mince words while addressing the media, asserting that the suspended governor had done little to mend fences with the legislature. “I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers. The suspended Governor, Fubara, has not made any move to reconcile with the lawmakers,” he declared.

He further warned that unless steps are taken immediately, the governor could face the full consequences of legislative action. “Only genuine reconciliation can save him from impeachment, as the Supreme Court judgment stands,” Okocha added, referring to a recent ruling that upheld the legitimacy of the lawmakers opposed to Fubara.

The APC’s stance reflects a broader concern within the party about what it perceives as an erosion of democratic norms in the state. The ongoing battle between Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—has deeply polarized the state’s political landscape. The clash is reportedly rooted in governance disagreements and control over political structures in Rivers.

Efforts by the federal government to mediate have seen mixed results. While high-level meetings involving President Tinubu, Minister Wike, and the suspended governor signal attempts at resolution, no conclusive agreements have been made public. The APC’s latest statements suggest a growing impatience with what it sees as Fubara’s failure to heed conciliatory overtures.

Observers note that the involvement of the judiciary has further complicated the matter. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has already challenged President Tinubu’s actions in court, describing the suspension of an elected governor and state assembly as unconstitutional. Despite this, the APC maintains that reconciliation remains the only practical path forward for Fubara.

Political analysts say the June 12 holiday could serve as a pivotal moment for the Tinubu administration to demonstrate its commitment to national unity and democratic norms. However, any move to reinstate Fubara without a solid reconciliation framework might exacerbate tensions in the state.

The people of Rivers State are watching closely as the crisis unfolds. Many are growing weary of the protracted instability, which has had ripple effects on governance and public services. As the countdown to June 12 continues, pressure is mounting on both sides to seek common ground for the sake of peace and development in the oil-rich state.

For now, the future of Governor Siminalayi Fubara hangs in the balance. With impeachment looming and political tempers flaring, only sincere and immediate reconciliation with state lawmakers appears capable of altering his political fate.