Political Earthquake in Rivers: Ijaw Leaders Denounce Assembly’s Move, Demand Urgent Presidential Intervention

 

By Blessing Brorhien 

Rivers State once again stands at the epicenter of Nigeria’s political fault lines as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has entered the fray with a forceful intervention, describing the renewed impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a direct assault on democracy, peace, and national stability.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the INC — the apex socio-cultural body of the Ijaw nation worldwide — warned that the unfolding political drama is no longer a local quarrel but a national emergency capable of destabilizing the entire Niger Delta region if not urgently contained.

The organization dismissed the impeachment attempt, the third since 2023, as a dangerous political obsession rather than a constitutional necessity.

“This is no longer about personalities or ethnic sentiments. This is about whether Nigeria’s democracy will survive coordinated political sabotage,” the INC declared.

A Democracy Stress Test

According to the INC, the impeachment effort represents a calculated attempt to weaponize constitutional provisions for political conquest. While the Rivers State House of Assembly cites Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, the INC argues that the pace, context, and political background of the process reveal a troubling motive.

Observers note that the crisis erupted shortly after the collapse of the peace deal brokered in June 2025 by President Bola Tinubu between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike — a deal that many believed had placed the state on a fragile path to stability.

Instead, Rivers now faces renewed turbulence, threatening not only governance but investors  confidence, development programmes, and the fragile peace of the oil-rich region.

INC to Tinubu: “History Is Watching”

In a rare and consequential appeal, the INC directly challenged President Bola Tinubu to act as custodian of Nigeria’s democratic soul, urging him to deploy his office, influence, and moral authority to stop the political descent.

The group called on the president to:

Defend constitutional order

Guarantee neutrality of federal institutions

Curb destabilizing actors within government

Prevent any illegal withholding of Rivers State’s federal allocations

The INC warned that any economic sanction against Rivers would amount to collective punishment of its people and could provoke far-reaching national repercussions.

Across Party Lines: A United Front Against Impeachment

Notably, resistance to the impeachment is not confined to any single political party. Leaders and stakeholders from both the APC and PDP in Rivers State have publicly urged the Assembly to abandon the move, describing it as ill-timed, divisive, and destructive.

Political analysts warns  that continued escalation could paralyze governance in one of Nigeria’s most economically strategic states.

Call for Calm as Tension Rises

While condemning the impeachment plot, the INC also urged Ijaw youths and Rivers residents to maintain peace, reject provocation, and avoid violence. The organization emphasized that legitimate grievances must be channeled through lawful civic action and dialogue.

“No ambition is worth the blood of Rivers people. No office is greater than the future of the Niger Delta,” the statement read.

A Defining Crossroad

As the crisis deepens, Rivers State has become the testing ground for Nigeria’s democratic resilience. Whether political actors choose dialogue over destruction may well determine not only the fate of one governor but the credibility of the nation’s democratic project itself.