Rivers crisis: I'm still governor — Fubara

*Regrets current political crisis in state

*You must protect Fubara, INC tells APC 

GOVERNOR Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has reaffirmed his position as the substantive governor of the state, amid renewed political tension and impeachment threats, lamenting the persistent crises that have continued to cast a shadow over his administration.

Fubara, who spoke at the weekend at the finals of the 2026 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament in the state capital, expressed deep regret that political instability has become a recurring feature of governance in Rivers State, particularly at the beginning of every year.

According to him, each year of his administration has opened on a troubled note, a situation he described as unfortunate and unhealthy for governance and development. 

He noted that the early days of 2026, which he had hoped would usher in calm and progress, instead brought what he cryptically referred to as a “love letter,” a remark widely interpreted as a reference to the impeachment notice served on him by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“What is important is that I am still the Governor of Rivers State, and we will continue to do what we have promised the Rivers people,” Fubara declared, drawing applause from guests at the event.

The governor stressed that despite political distractions, his administration remained focused on its core mandate of protecting lives and property, maintaining peace, and delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State. 

He pledged that he would not, directly or indirectly, support any action capable of undermining peace and security in the state.

He expressed disappointment that the annual Port Harcourt Polo Tournament has, for three consecutive years, coincided with periods of heightened political tension, recalling that January 2024 was particularly turbulent, while 2025 also experienced its fair share of uncertainty.

“In 2024, you came to me and made some promises, but that January was hell. In 2025, you didn’t bother to come to me. This 2026, which I thought would be the finest, just landed me a love letter,” the governor said.

He assured stakeholders that his administration would continue to discharge its responsibilities regardless of political challenges and would support individuals and groups genuinely committed to the progress and unity of Rivers State. The governor also pledged that the state government would work towards upgrading the Port Harcourt Polo Club, reputed to have one of the best natural grass polo pitches in the country.

Fubara urged guests, polo players, and foreign participants to enjoy the serenity of Port Harcourt and help counter negative narratives about Rivers State by projecting positive and accurate information about the state.

You must protect Fubara, INC tells APC 

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ijaw-speaking people in the Niger Delta, has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its leadership, urging them to take responsibility for protecting Governor Fubara from impeachment.

The INC warned that any successful impeachment of Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct would be viewed as a clear betrayal of the Ijaw nation.

Speaking at the weekend, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, described the impeachment plot as a case of vendetta and godfatherism taken too far, insisting that it must not be allowed to succeed.

“APC has a responsibility to defend Sim Fubara. If Fubara is eventually impeached, then we will see this as a clear betrayal of the Ijaw nation,” Okaba said.

He called on the national leadership of the APC to rise to the occasion and defend one of its own from what he described as an unjust attempt to chase him out of office, warning that the consequences could be grave for peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

Okaba also criticised the conduct of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, particularly four lawmakers who had earlier proposed a political solution to the crisis but later reversed their position to rejoin the impeachment process.

The lawmakers — Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, Peter Abbey, Barile Nwakoh, and Emilia Amadi — had initially appealed for dialogue, acknowledging constitutional infractions but urging reconsideration in the interest of peace, before dramatically shifting grounds.

“This attitude shows that the Assembly is made up of people who don’t have principle. Some of these lawmakers are being cajoled to do what they are doing. It is very unfortunate,” Okaba said, adding that their actions were geared towards actualising the interest of a single individual at the expense of democracy, peace, and unity.

The INC President insisted that the impeachment effort is a fruitless exercise and warned that the organisation would take a decisive position should the governor be removed.

Adding to the growing calls for intervention, the Niger Delta Professionals for Peace and Democracy, NDPPD, has urged President Bola  Tinubu to urgently step into the Rivers State political crisis to avert further escalation.

The group expressed grave concern over the lingering standoff between the executive arm of government led by Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement signed by its President, Marcus Uduak, the NDPPD warned that prolonged political instability poses serious threats to democratic institutions, governance, and socio-economic development in Rivers State, noting that the crisis could be exploited by opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Rivers State is too critical to the political and economic stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large to be left in a state of sustained political uncertainty,” the statement said.

Lawyers threaten lawsuit against Rivers CJ

Also the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP,  has called on the Chief Judge of the High Court of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, to immediately recuse himself from any impeachment proceedings or risk being reported to the National Judicial Council, NJC.

In an open letter dated January 18, 2026, ALDRAP warned that should the Chief Judge entertain any impeachment notice from the Rivers State House of Assembly, the association would pursue legal action and file a formal petition before the NJC.

The Abuja-based legal body cited a March 2025 petition sent by the Rivers Assembly to the Department of State Security Services, DSS, alleging age falsification by the Chief Judge, as a potential source of bias.

Titled 'Recuse Yourself Immediately from Considering Any Letter of Notice of Impeachment Submitted by Rivers State House of Assembly or Face the National Judicial Council',  the letter was signed by Dr. Tonye Jaja, former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and Executive Director of the Nigerian Law Society.

Culled from Vnaguard