APC Blocks Moves to Oust Governor Fubara

The political landscape in Rivers State has taken a surprising and significant turn as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally voiced its opposition to the burgeoning movement to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a move that signals a desire for regional stability over partisan warfare, the party leadership has issued a stern warning that any attempt to forcibly remove the Governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, would be a catalyst for chaos. This intervention comes at a critical juncture where the friction between the executive and legislative arms threatened to plunge the state into a prolonged period of governance paralysis.

In an official communiqué released on Wednesday, the APC leadership described the recent legislative maneuvers as “unfortunate developments” that do not align with the broader interests of the people. While the party was careful to acknowledge the constitutional independence of the House of Assembly and its legitimate oversight functions, it drew a firm line at the use of impeachment as a political weapon. The party’s stance is rooted in the belief that the current crisis is a spillover of internal friction within the Peoples Democratic Party, and it is refusing to let those external grievances dictate the pace of an APC-aligned administration.

Central to the dispute is a disagreement over budgetary processes, which the House of Assembly had cited as a primary grievance. The APC, however, has dismantled this argument by highlighting the existing financial framework already in place. The party pointed out that during a previous period of emergency rule, a comprehensive budget was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2025. This ₦1.485 trillion appropriation was subsequently ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives by July 2025, providing a clear fiscal roadmap that remains valid until August 2026.

According to the party’s legal interpretation, there is no constitutional mandate forcing a governor to present a supplementary budget if the current appropriation meets the state’s needs. The APC leadership further clarified that the Constitution provides a grace period, allowing a governor to continue authorized spending for up to six months into a new fiscal year. By emphasizing these legal realities, the party has effectively stripped the impeachment threat of its technical justification, framing the move as an “extreme legislative measure” that lacks both moral and legal standing in the present circumstances.

The Rivers APC has directed a specific plea to lawmakers who were elected on its platform, urging them to resist “external pressure” intended to destabilize the state’s leadership. There is a palpable concern within the party that these internal disagreements could be exploited by outside actors to undermine the government’s progress. The party’s hierarchy is making it clear that they will take every necessary step to ensure the administration is not derailed by localized political rivalries. The message to the Assembly is blunt: discontinue the impeachment process immediately to protect the image of the party and the continuity of development.

This development reflects a broader strategy to prioritize peace and stability in a state that has historically been a flashpoint for volatile politics. By stepping in to defend an incumbent governor against its own legislators, the APC is positioning itself as a guardian of democratic principles rather than a mere participant in a power struggle. The party argues that the people of Rivers State deserve a government that focuses on service delivery rather than one bogged down by constant litigation and threats of removal.

The potential damage to the APC’s reputation is also a major factor in this decision. Party leaders are wary that a successful impeachment, or even a protracted attempt at one, would paint the party as fragmented and incapable of maintaining order within its ranks. In the view of the state chapter, the priority must remain on upholding the mandate given to the executive and allowing the current governance structure to function without the looming shadow of a legislative coup.

As the state watches this high-stakes drama unfold, the APC’s intervention has introduced a much-needed cooling effect on the heated rhetoric coming out of the House of Assembly. The call for political actors to allow governance to prevail over rivalry is a reminder that the stakes in Rivers State go beyond individual careers. With the party now firmly backing the Governor’s right to finish his term, the focus shifts back to the Assembly to see if they will heed this warning or continue a path that could lead to significant political fallout.