PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again stepped into the lingering political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, amid a renewed impeachment move against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Highly placed sources have confirmed to this newspaper that the President has summoned Wike over the escalating crisis in Rivers State, with the meeting expected to take place outside Nigeria.
A senior source close to the Presidency told this newspaper that Tinubu, who is currently out of the country, has become increasingly concerned about the political temperature in Rivers, especially following the decision by the State House of Assembly to reopen impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The source disclosed that Wike had been invited for discussions with the President abroad, adding that Governor Fubara also travelled out of the country on Thursday aboard a private jet, reportedly to meet Tinubu in France.
The fresh presidential intervention comes as the Rivers State House of Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to Wike, on Thursday formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy.
During plenary presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
According to the lawmakers, Fubara committed seven acts of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the legislature.
Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu was also accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstructing the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, and allegedly conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy public offices without the mandatory screening by the House.
Amaewhule announced that the impeachment notice would be served on the governor within seven days and adjourned plenary until January 15, describing the move as “in the interest of Rivers State.”
He further accused Fubara of refusing to present the 2026 budget to the Assembly, an action he said undermined the constitutional powers of the legislature.
The latest allegations mirror those raised against Fubara and Odu before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, which led to their suspension for six months.
At the time, Tinubu personally mediated between Fubara and Wike, brokered a truce, and restored constitutional order in the state.
However, barely three months after the emergency rule ended, the fragile peace collapsed, with both men resuming public exchanges. Wike accused Fubara of breaching the terms of their agreement, while the governor made veiled criticisms of his predecessor.
The impeachment move represents the peak of the renewed confrontation, with Wike openly declaring that Fubara would not secure a second term in office, even if he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on the development, a top presidential source said Tinubu had already moved to halt the impeachment process.
“The President sees the danger in what Wike is doing. He has summoned him for a meeting abroad. Barring any last-minute change, they are expected to meet. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” the source said.
The source warned that the situation could have grave security implications, particularly in the oil-producing Niger Delta.
“If care is not taken, this could push Ijaw youths back to the creeks. That will affect oil production and the economy. The President will not allow that to happen,” he added.
Another senior official described Wike’s actions as an affront to the authority of the President and contrary to national interest, noting that fears of unrest were a key factor behind the earlier declaration of emergency rule.
“If you threaten to sack the first Ijaw governor of Rivers State, what signal are you sending? This has consequences, and the President understands that,” the official said.
A senior aide to the President, however, said he was unaware of any scheduled meeting with Wike, confirming only that Tinubu was currently in France and would proceed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“The minister has no official business in the UAE except a meeting with the President. Only Wike or his aides can confirm that,” the aide said.
Meanwhile, a senior administrative official at the APC national secretariat revealed that party leaders were planning to meet Tinubu upon his return to express concerns over the crisis.
“Our leaders are unhappy that Wike is threatening Fubara the same way he did when both were in the PDP. Fubara is now an APC governor, and many believe he should be allowed to complete his tenure,” the official said.
Efforts to get a reaction from Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to his phone were not returned.
As political tension mounts in Rivers State, all eyes are now on President Tinubu’s next move, with stakeholders warning that any misstep could have far-reaching political and security consequences for the Niger Delta and the country at large.