THURSDAY March 13, 2025 |TheNewsDESK

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned that any attempt to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have serious economic consequences for Nigeria.

This warning follows the blockade of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, which prevented Governor Fubara from presenting the 2025 budget as directed by the Supreme Court.

Reacting to the ongoing political crisis, INC President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, accused the lawmakers of serving the interests of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, rather than prioritizing peace and governance in Rivers State.

“These lawmakers are acting this way because Wike financed their elections. He personally selected them, and he even admitted this publicly. Their actions are not surprising,” Okaba stated.

He criticized the Assembly blockade, emphasizing that Fubara’s commitment to obeying the Supreme Court ruling should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Some people claim Sim Fubara is weak, but he is simply respecting the rule of law. He assured the President that he would follow the Supreme Court’s judgment, so why are lawmakers preventing him from accessing the Assembly?”

Okaba warned that any forceful removal of Fubara from office would be met with resistance, stressing that the consequences would extend beyond Rivers State.

“If they proceed with an unjust impeachment, we will resist it. The impact will be far-reaching and affect the entire country. This is not a threat—it is the reality,” he declared.

He also pointed out inconsistencies in the lawmakers’ actions.

“These same lawmakers issued 48-hour and 72-hour deadlines for the Governor to present the budget while also demanding the dismissal of 19 Commissioners. If the Finance Commissioner is removed, who will prepare the budget?”

Addressing Wike’s recent remarks about the Ijaw nation, Okaba dismissed them as attempts to create ethnic division, saying they would not succeed.

“Ikwerre and Ijaw will not fight because of Wike. Leaders of Ikwerre have already apologized to the Ijaw people for Wike’s actions against Fubara,” he said.

He added: “If the President of Ogbakor Ikwerre had spoken, I would have responded differently. But since it is Wike, I won’t dignify him with a reply. Ikwerre is not at war with Ijaw—Wike is simply battling himself.”

As political tension rises in Rivers State, the INC’s strong stance highlights the need for a peaceful resolution to prevent further instability in the oil-rich region.