The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Eastern Zone, has expressed concern regarding a purported scheme by the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
During a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, IYC Eastern Zone Chairman, Ibiso Harry, accused former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of instigating the political unrest within the state.
Harry asserted that Wike, along with his associates Amaewhule and Tony Okocha, is behind the attempts to oust Governor Fubara. He contended that the ongoing crisis stems from Fubara’s refusal to relinquish control over the state’s resources to Wike. Additionally, he criticized a recent Supreme Court ruling that has frozen the allocation for Rivers, claiming that this decision—reportedly influenced by Okocha—would significantly harm the state’s economy and adversely affect the livelihoods of civil servants.
“We have patiently watched the political crisis perpetrated by Barr. Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, and Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly since Gov. Sim Fubara assumed office 2 years ago as the Executive Governor of Rivers State. But the bone of contention in the Rivers Crisis is the desperation of Wike to perpetually control the resources of the state both from the Federal and State Internally Generated Revenue which the Governor has objected to, resisted, and made it clear that Rivers money is for Rivers people,” he said.
The chairman of the IYC cautioned against any efforts to impeach the governor, emphasizing that Fubara should be permitted to serve two terms, similar to his predecessors. He urged political figures to pursue dialogue rather than engage in what he termed as deceitful strategies.
Harry further delivered a strong message, stating that the IYC would not passively observe the governor’s potential ousting. He warned those contemplating such actions to be ready for the repercussions should they continue with the purported scheme.
“We shall resist any attempt to impeach Governor Fubara until he has served out his two tenures of eight years as his predecessors did by every means necessary. If the planners of the Governor’s Impeachment do not desist from their evil plots we should be ready to bear the consequences,” he added.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the political turmoil of the state and called for additional measures to promote stability.
The IYC reiterated its backing for Governor Fubara and urged all ethnic communities in Rivers State to oppose any efforts aimed at undermining his administration.
Ibim Ibiwari, the Chairman Emeritus of IYC, indicated that their inquiries uncovered a scheme to impeach Governor Fubara. He cited remarks made by Okocha and Lolo Opuene, a legislator from Kula, as compelling evidence of this conspiracy.
Ibiwari further stressed that they had previously risked their lives to ensure Wike’s re-election and are willing to make similar sacrifices to guarantee Fubara’s continued tenure.
