A prominent Rivers State activist, Jake Epelle, has expressed strong confidence that any attempt to impeach the state’s current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will not succeed. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show on Thursday, Epelle made it clear that he believed the impeachment efforts, allegedly backed by former governor Nyesom Wike and members of the state’s House of Assembly, were destined to fail.
Epelle was particularly vocal in criticizing the actions of the House of Assembly, which is led by Martins Amaewhule, a staunch ally of Wike. According to Epelle, these efforts were part of a wider political struggle aimed at undermining Fubara’s administration, but he assured viewers that the people of Rivers State would not allow it.
“Let them try to impeach him. They will not succeed,” Epelle said. He further insisted that Fubara had not committed any impeachable offense and that the people of Rivers State remained firmly behind their governor. He called on political figures like Wike to stop fueling the tensions surrounding Fubara’s leadership.
The activist argued that while former governor Wike may have personal grievances with his successor, he did not have the legal authority to initiate the impeachment process. “Wike doesn’t have the constitutional power to impeach a governor. He can call for impeachment, but he is not a member of the State Assembly,” Epelle explained. He added that Wike’s influence over the Assembly members was clear, with some political observers suggesting that the lawmakers’ actions were motivated by external forces.
The roots of this conflict go back to the relationship between Fubara and Wike, which has soured since Fubara assumed office. Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was instrumental in bringing Fubara to power. However, political tensions have surfaced, particularly following allegations of mismanagement and disputes over the governor’s handling of state affairs.
A recent incident highlighted the deepening rift when Governor Fubara was denied access to the Rivers State House of Assembly on March 12, 2025, during his attempt to re-present the 2025 state budget, as mandated by the House. Fubara had reportedly informed Assembly Speaker Amaewhule of his visit, but the Assembly denied receiving such communication and barred him from entering. This development sparked further controversy, with Fubara accusing the Assembly of acting against his leadership.
At the same time, former Governor Wike made statements in Abuja suggesting that there was nothing wrong with the Assembly moving to impeach Fubara over allegations, including the withholding of lawmakers’ salaries for months. This claim has further fueled speculation that the impeachment efforts are politically motivated.
Epelle strongly condemned these actions, arguing that the Assembly’s refusal to allow Fubara to present the budget was an embarrassment to the governor and a setback for democracy in the state. He also accused Wike of inflaming the situation with his calls for impeachment, urging the former governor to adopt a more peaceful approach to resolving political differences.
Furthermore, Epelle voiced concern about the wider implications of such a political crisis. He warned that if this situation was not handled carefully, it could set a dangerous precedent for future political conflicts in the state. “If we don’t stop this chaos, it could happen to anyone in the future. We need to support democracy and stand behind our governor,” he said, stressing that the people of Rivers State were not “troublesome” but would rally to defend their governor and their democratic rights.
The issue of impeachment has been a recurring topic of discussion in Rivers State politics, with various factions within the political establishment either supporting or opposing the move. The governor’s office has repeatedly emphasized that the allegations against Fubara are baseless, pointing out that there have been no formal charges that would warrant such an extreme measure as impeachment.
Despite the political drama, many ordinary people in Rivers State have expressed their support for Fubara, pointing to his early successes in office, including the advancement of infrastructure projects and other state development initiatives. However, the tension between the governor and the Assembly is expected to continue to be a major political issue in the coming weeks, especially as the state approaches the 2025 budget discussions.
As the dispute unfolds, it remains unclear what role Wike and other political figures will play in the ongoing political drama. For now, Epelle’s prediction that the impeachment will not succeed remains a hopeful stance for Fubara’s supporters, who are eager for a resolution that ensures stability and progress for the state.
The ongoing political developments in Rivers State are indicative of the broader struggles within Nigerian politics, where power struggles often overshadow the need for effective governance and peaceful transitions. As the situation continues to evolve, many are watching closely to see if the governor and his opponents can find common ground or if the state will be plunged further into political uncertainty.
In the meantime, Rivers State residents and political observers are left wondering how this bitter political feud will resolve and whether the state’s leadership can overcome the challenges that have emerged in the wake of the feud between Fubara and Wike.
