Rivers Crisis: APC Chieftain Urges Fubara to Dismiss Ibas’s Appointees and Secure Tinubu’s Support Against Impeachment

A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has openly called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to immediately dismiss all political appointees installed by the recently departed Sole Administrators during the governor’s six-month suspension.

Governor Fubara officially returned to the Rivers State Government House on Friday, marking the end of his six-month suspension, which was ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite widespread criticism and strong disapproval from citizens, political stakeholders, and civil rights groups, the suspension remained in force until its conclusion, with the governor resuming duties the very next day after the Sole Administrator vacated office.

During the governor’s absence, former Naval Chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, who served as the Sole Administrator, appointed several individuals into key offices within the Rivers State Government. Chief Eze, a respected political voice and former National Publicity Secretary of the now-defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), strongly argued that Governor Fubara must not retain or work with any of those appointees.

Eze emphasized that it would be politically dangerous for the governor to inherit appointees from what he described as an “illegal administration.” According to him, Governor Fubara must dismiss all individuals appointed by the Sole Administrator to safeguard his leadership integrity and prevent political manipulation.

The APC chieftain went further, warning against any attempt by political stakeholders, particularly former Rivers State governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to impose commissioners, advisers, or aides on Fubara’s administration. Eze claimed that Wike had earlier promised not to engage in such “devilish acts,” but the governor must remain cautious and proactive to prevent undue interference.

Eze also stressed that, in order to restore stability in the Rivers political space, all lawmakers in the State Assembly who resigned or previously worked with Governor Fubara should be reinstated to their legislative positions. Such action, he noted, would help calm political tensions and create a more harmonious working environment in the state.

The APC leader further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to provide firm reassurance to Governor Fubara, ensuring that the governor will be fully protected against any form of political sabotage or humiliation. In his words, the governor must be shielded from possible impeachment plots orchestrated by certain “funny members” of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Eze concluded by stating that, should the president fail to offer this crucial assurance, Governor Fubara has no option but to fully exercise his constitutional powers as the executive leader of Rivers State in order to defend his position and authority.

This political development marks another chapter in Rivers State’s turbulent governance crisis, highlighting ongoing power struggles among prominent figures and the importance of executive independence within Nigeria’s democratic framework.