Nigerians living abroad have come out in support of Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. They say that new impeachment proceedings against the two are a political project that will destabilize the state and threaten democratic order in the oil-rich state.
The Nigerian Diaspora Professionals for Democratic Stability (NDPDS) said in an e-statement today that the impeachment moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly are an abuse of legislative power that is based on a long-running political fight between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the minister of the federal capital territory.
Dr. Chukwudi Nnamani, the group’s president, and Mr. Adewale Ogunsiwaju, its secretary, both signed the statement.
The Daily Independent writes that the NDPDS stated the impeachment procedure, which came back despite past political and legal actions, might turn constitutional mechanisms into tools of political revenge.
The threats of impeachment against Governor Fubara have become predictable, recurring, and politically motivated. This isn’t about monitoring or constitutional accountability anymore; it’s about who has power over Rivers State’s political structure and resources. The declaration says, “Impeachment cannot be used as a weapon of supremacy in a democracy; it must be used as a last resort constitutional remedy.”
The organization argued that the issue in Rivers started when Fubara and Wike’s political connection fell apart soon after the governor took office. They also said that since then, legislative acts have reflected factional loyalties instead of the public interest.
“It’s impossible to ignore the situation.” The House of Assembly has become quite divided, and the laws that have been passed show loyalty to outside political authority instead of the people. The group declared, “No democracy should allow a sitting governor to be constantly threatened with removal for refusing to submit to political godfathers.”
The expatriate professionals said that more attempts to impeach might hurt governance, scare off investors, and make institutions even less stable in a state that is very important for Nigeria’s economy to survive.
“Rivers State is not a place for political gamesmanship.” It is a key economic nerve center, and unresolved power disputes among the elite should not be able to hold governance hostage. The statement went on to say, “Every threat of impeachment sends a bad message to investors, development partners, and citizens who want stability, not chaos.”
The party also defended Fubara’s actions while in office, saying that policy disagreements or political realignments do not rise to the level of grave misconduct under the Constitution.
“Disagreeing is not against the law.” Being independent is not wrong. A governor claiming constitutional authority ought not to be regarded as a rebel. “The framers of the constitution knew how dangerous it was for the legislature to go too far, so they set the bar for impeachment very high,” the organization said.
The statement went on to say that the expatriate community is worried about what is happening and that continuous attempts to impeach destroy trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“When impeachment becomes common instead of rare, it hurts democracy.” The statement said, “What is happening in Rivers should worry every Nigerian because it sets a precedent where legislative pressure can keep undermining electoral mandates.”
The group asked political leaders, the courts, and all interested parties to put discussion and constitutional restraint first. They also asked the Rivers assembly to stop doing anything that could make the state even worse.
“The people’s mandate must be followed.” The message went on to say, “Rivers State deserves good government, not constant political warfare.”
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