Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, has asserted that there will be no significant consequences if the House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, decides to impeach his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.
During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed that there is no issue with lawmakers removing Fubara due to alleged impeachable offenses, including the failure to pay their salaries for several months.
The influential member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated, “If you have committed an offense warranting impeachment, what is the problem? Is it a criminal act? This is outlined in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly?
“If there has been a violation of the constitution and the Assembly finds it appropriate to call for impeachment, then so be it.
“I have heard claims that impeachment would lead to chaos. Nonsense! Nothing will occur.”
Wike further noted that if the Amaewhule-led Assembly were not inclined towards maintaining peace, it would have taken a six-month recess following the Supreme Court’s ruling. He criticized the letter sent to the Assembly by Fubara, suggesting he could have handled the situation more effectively.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a series of rulings regarding the ongoing political turmoil in the resource-rich South-South state.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-member panel unanimously rejected Fubara’s cross-appeal contesting the legitimacy of the House of Assembly under Amaewhule’s speakership.
The court’s decision mandated that Amaewhule reconvene with the other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly immediately.
Additionally, the Supreme Court prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with court orders, which the court deemed to have been blatantly disregarded.
The Supreme Court also ruled that the local government election held in the state on October 5, 2024, was invalid.
In response, Fubara announced his commitment to fully implement the Supreme Court’s rulings and instructed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to develop plans for a new election.
The electoral commission has scheduled a new local government election for August 9, 2025. Subsequently, the Assembly issued an arrest warrant for RSIEC Chief, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), due to his failure to appear before the House.
Additionally, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, requested a meeting with the lawmakers on March 10, 2025, to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and to engage in peace talks. However, the Assembly instructed the governor to properly formalize his invitation.
