Jake Epelle, a Rivers State-based activist, declared on Thursday that attempts by former Governor Nyesom Wike and his supporters in the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara are doomed to fail. Speaking on a monitored program, Epelle argued that Wike cannot preach peace while simultaneously encouraging the Martins Amaewhule-led legislature to oust Fubara, his estranged successor in the oil-rich state. “Let them try impeachment—they won’t succeed,” Epelle asserted. “No one will remove Fubara. I’m saying this publicly on national TV because he hasn’t committed any impeachable offense. The people stand firmly with him.”
Epelle emphasized that even if an impeachment were attempted, it wouldn’t destabilize the state. “Rivers people aren’t the troublemakers we’re often made out to be. We’ll back Fubara and defend democracy,” he said. “If we don’t stop this chaos now, it could happen to anyone. This impeachment talk must end.”
The ongoing rift between the Wike-aligned House of Assembly and Fubara shows no signs of resolution. On Wednesday, the governor was barred from entering the Assembly Quarters to re-present the 2025 state budget, as required by the House following a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025. Fubara claimed he had informed Amaewhule of his visit, but the Assembly denied receiving any such notice. Meanwhile, in Abuja, Wike—now the Federal Capital Territory Minister—told journalists during a media session that lawmakers would be justified in removing Fubara for alleged offenses, such as withholding their salaries for months.
Epelle condemned the Assembly for humiliating the governor and failing to pursue peace. He also criticized Wike for escalating tensions with his impeachment rhetoric. “Wike lacks the constitutional authority to impeach a governor,” Epelle said. “He can call for it, but he’s not an Assembly member. The actual execution lies with the lawmakers. Is someone behind the scenes directing this? Clearly, yes. I heard that as the governor approached the gate, the Assembly received a call from Abuja—by whom, I don’t know—telling them not to meet him. It’s a classic case of someone calling the shots while the Assembly dances to the tune or follows a scripted plan. That’s deeply unjust.”
