By Deborah Coker
Abuja, Jan. 9, 2026
The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural body representing the Ijaw people worldwide, has issued a forceful condemnation of the escalating political turmoil in Rivers State. In a statement released on Friday, the INC decried the resumption of impeachment proceedings against the democratically elected Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, labeling the move a profound danger to constitutional order.
The statement, signed by the INC’s Global President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), frames the crisis not merely as a local political dispute but as a national emergency with far-reaching implications.
A Cycle of Political Vendetta Threatens Democratic Foundations
Prof. Okaba characterized the impeachment threat as “a grave threat to democracy, peace, and stability in Rivers and the Niger Delta region.” He emphasized that this marks the third such attempt since 2023, revealing a “relentless cycle of political vendetta” that risks normalizing impeachment as a weapon of political warfare rather than a constitutional check on genuine executive malfeasance.
“The INC categorically and unequivocally condemns this impeachment move,” Okaba stated. “This is not a matter for the Ijaw nation alone, but for democracy itself. We stand firmly with the people of Rivers and all defenders of constitutional order in rejecting this dangerous gambit.”
Context: The Collapse of a Presidential Peace Accord
The INC’s intervention comes against the backdrop of a failed peace initiative. The statement notes that the current crisis follows the collapse of a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, which was designed to resolve the protracted feud between Governor Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. The breakdown of this high-level mediation underscores the deep-seated nature of the conflict and the challenges of achieving a lasting political settlement.
While the Rivers State House of Assembly cites Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as the basis for its actions, the INC raises critical questions about the process. “The speed and context of this process raise questions about its adherence to the spirit of fairness and its use as a political tool rather than a genuine check on executive power,” Okaba argued. He pointed out that the allegations—centering on budgetary spending and appointments—are governance issues that should be resolved through established legal and administrative channels, not through a weaponized impeachment process.
A Call for Federal Leadership and Impartiality
The INC’s statement serves as a direct appeal to national leadership. It calls on President Tinubu to “act decisively as the father of the nation” and use his moral authority to defend the constitutional order in Rivers State. The organization warns that repeated impeachment threats, especially after presidential intervention, severely undermine national stability.
A critical demand from the INC is for the Federal Government to assume the role of an “honest broker.” Given that the Niger Delta region is the economic engine of Nigeria, producing the bulk of the nation’s oil and gas, instability in Rivers State has direct consequences for the national economy. The INC, echoing other Niger Delta leaders, insists that the Tinubu administration must handle the crisis with absolute neutrality, free from bias or favoritism toward any faction.
The statement includes a stark warning against leveraging federal power for political ends: “We view any attempt to leverage federal institutions to withhold statutory allocations to the state as unconstitutional and profoundly provocative. Such an action would be an economic sanction against the people of Rivers with dire consequences for national unity.”
Broad-Based Concern and a Plea for Peaceful Engagement
Significantly, the INC notes that its stance is echoed by voices across the political spectrum, including members of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within the state, who have also called for the impeachment proceedings to be dropped. This suggests the crisis transcends typical party lines and is viewed by many as an institutional overreach.
In a direct address to the people of Rivers State, Prof. Okaba urged Ijaw people and all residents to “remain peaceful, law-abiding, and resolute.” He advised against violent retaliation, advocating instead for “peaceful civic engagement” and support for lawful advocacy to defend democratic institutions. He emphasized that the legitimate development projects of the state government must not become casualties of political strife.
The Path Forward: Dialogue Over Warfare
The INC concludes with a passionate appeal for a return to genuine dialogue, arguing that previous suspensions and states of emergency have failed to yield lasting peace. “This is a time to demand governance, not perpetual political warfare,” Okaba asserted, calling on the Rivers State House of Assembly to focus on its core legislative and oversight duties to allow the executive to serve the people.
The organization pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to take “all legitimate and constitutional steps necessary” to protect the rights of Rivers State residents and ensure democracy prevails. This statement positions the INC not just as a ethnic advocate, but as a key stakeholder committed to the stability and democratic integrity of the entire Nigerian federation.
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN News
