Stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and elder statesmen from the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have moved to intervene in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
The intervention is aimed at halting fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The intervention comes as the ruling APC leadership and regional leaders express concerns that the ongoing feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, could destabilize the state and polarize the party.
Reports indicate that the party’s national leadership is wary of the crisis spilling over into the party's internal structures, especially following Fubara's recent alignment with the APC.
In a notable development, the Rivers State chapter of the APC, led by Emeka Beke, openly rejected the impeachment move, calling on lawmakers to resist "external pressures."
Furthermore, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has reportedly warned against actions that could further divide the state, emphasizing the need for party unity under President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda.
Adding a non-partisan layer to the reconciliation efforts, PANDEF has inaugurated a seven-member peace and reconciliation committee.
Chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), the committee has been given a two-week ultimatum to resolve the standoff between the executive and the legislature.
PANDEF’s National Chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, stated that the committee would engage with all key actors, including the governor, the FCT Minister, and traditional rulers, to restore constitutional order.
The impeachment plot, initiated by 26 lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has begun to show signs of internal fracture. On Monday, January 12, two members of the House—Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma) and Peter Abbey (Degema)—appealed to their colleagues to exercise restraint.
The lawmakers admitted that while there may have been constitutional infractions, the "pleas from elders and leaders" necessitated a shift toward an amicable resolution outside of impeachment.
Despite the interventions, the House leadership maintained as recently as Sunday that the process is "fully on course."
However, sources close to the Governor revealed that as of Monday, January 12, Fubara had yet to be formally served the impeachment notice following his return from an official trip to Europe.
President Tinubu, while aware of the situation, is reportedly viewing the crisis as a political issue to be resolved by stakeholders, with a direct presidential intervention considered only as a last resort.
The next seven days will be critical as the Kanu Agabi-led committee begins its consultations.
All eyes remain on whether the 26 lawmakers will heed the calls for "mercy and restraint" or proceed with a formal trial of the Governor and his Deputy.
