GistReel

Political commentator Arc Uche Rochas has described the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State as a “direct slap in the face” to President Bola Tinubu.

Rochas made the remark in a post on X (formerly Twitter), amid renewed tensions following the Rivers State House of Assembly’s initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara on January 8, 2026.

The assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, commenced the process by issuing a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

The charges include failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, extra-budgetary spending, and non-compliance with constitutional provisions on legislative autonomy.

While unconfirmed, many observers speculate that the impeachment move is linked to the protracted rift between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Supporters of the minister have sought to distance him from the developments, though public skepticism remains high.

In his post, Rochas warned that any perceived siding by President Tinubu with Wike would be “deeply insulting.” He wrote:

“But jokes aside, it would be deeply insulting if the President were to take sides with Wike on this matter.

“It would signify many things to people, but to me, it would show that we have a President whose personal interests come before everything else.

“He would be portraying himself as a man who rewards violence and dangerous behavior. Simply put, it would present him as someone willing to stake anything to satisfy vanity and personal ambition.

“Putting politics aside, what is happening in Rivers State is a direct slap in the face of the President.”

The latest escalation follows previous interventions by President Tinubu to resolve the crisis, including a state of emergency declared in 2025.

The assembly has barred Fubara from presenting the state’s 2026 budget until the impeachment probe concludes.



from GistReel https://ift.tt/J40maSd
via IFTTT