A prominent stakeholder in Rivers State has issued a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to intervene decisively in the escalating political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Call for Presidential Intervention to Avert Tension
Anabs Sara-Igbe, a former spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and ex-adviser to former Governor Peter Odili, has called on President Tinubu to prevent unnecessary tension in the oil-rich state. This plea comes amid a third attempt by state lawmakers to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, since he took office.
Sara-Igbe expressed deep concern that the nation's already severe insecurity challenges are being compounded by an avoidable political crisis in Rivers. He pointedly described the situation as being 'orchestrated by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.'
Stakeholder's Direct Message to Tinubu and Wike
The influential Ijaw leader delivered a clear political warning to the President. 'If President Tinubu desires victory in Rivers state in 2027 and the Niger Delta as a whole, he should call Wike to order,' Sara-Igbe stated. He emphasized that Wike and the lawmakers should immediately withdraw the impeachment proceedings to allow Governor Fubara to focus on delivering services to the people of Rivers State.
Furthermore, Sara-Igbe questioned why internal conflict resolution mechanisms within the All Progressives Congress (APC) were not being utilized, given that both the governor and the assembly members belong to the same ruling party. He also directly addressed the FCT Minister, saying, 'I am calling on Wike, who is the leader and father of the Assembly members, to call his children to order.'
He noted that Governor Fubara has publicly expressed willingness to work with Wike for peace, making the latest impeachment threat puzzling and unnecessary.
A History of Impeachment Attempts Against Fubara
The current political instability is not a new phenomenon. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has faced multiple impeachment attempts since his inauguration. The first major scare occurred in October 2023, just months after he was sworn into office. A second attempt followed in 2025, with the latest unfolding on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Amid this turmoil, Governor Fubara has affirmed his administration's commitment to constitutional principles. He recently announced that his government would implement the Supreme Court’s verdict on a related matter after a careful review of the certified true copy. As part of ongoing administration, he has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the state's 23 local government councils.
The repeated impeachment threats have raised significant concerns about political stability in one of Nigeria's most economically vital states, prompting calls from key figures like Sara-Igbe for national leadership to restore calm.
