APC Employs ‘Self-Healing’ Strategy to Stifle Fubara Impeachment

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has signaled a strategic shift in its handling of the Rivers State political crisis, with National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda revealing that the party is “tactfully resolving” the impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Speaking on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in an interview with Trust TV, Yilwatda suggested that the intense public clamor for Fubara’s removal is being quieted through high-level internal mediation.

The political atmosphere in Rivers has been supercharged since early January 2026, when 26 members of the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers cited a litany of “gross misconduct” allegations, ranging from extra-budgetary spending to the failure to present the 2026 appropriation bill. However, Yilwatda’s latest remarks indicate that the ruling party—which now claims many of the state’s lawmakers as its own—is moving to de-escalate.

“Are you hearing anything about the impeachment of Rivers State Governor Fubara again?” Yilwatda asked rhetorically, pointing to a period of relative silence from the assembly as evidence of the party’s intervention. He described the APC’s approach as a “self-healing” mechanism designed to repair internal “injuries” before they become catastrophic. This diplomatic maneuver appears to be aimed at stabilizing the oil-rich state to avoid a repeat of the 2025 state of emergency.

The Chairman’s assertion of “internal party issues” highlights the complex political reality in Rivers, where the line between the PDP and APC has blurred following mass defections. By engaging directly with the lawmakers, the APC national leadership seeks to maximize its political opportunities in the state without the scorched-earth fallout of a forced removal. This “tactful resolution” also aligns with recent court orders and the emergence of “restraint” among several lawmakers who have publicly called for a peaceful alternative to impeachment.

While Yilwatda characterizes the move as a sign of party strength and discipline, it also underscores the delicate balancing act required to manage the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the independence of the Fubara administration. For now, the APC’s priority is a “win-win” scenario that ensures the state remains a viable battleground for the 2027 elections while maintaining the current executive structure.

The governor, who has largely remained focused on project delivery amidst the legislative storm, has yet to officially comment on the party’s “healing” efforts. However, the apparent cooling of the impeachment fire suggests that the “quiet reformers” in the APC’s national headquarters may have successfully hit the pause button on one of Nigeria’s most volatile political feuds.