If Fubara is impeached, then it’s a big indictment on President Tinubu’s ability to protect APC governors- media personality, Rufai Oseni

Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara Faces Impeachment: A Test for President Tinubu’s Influence Over APC Governors

Media commentator Rufai Oseni has expressed concerns over the ongoing impeachment process targeting Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara. In a social media statement released on January 20, Oseni suggested that if the impeachment succeeds, it would highlight a significant weakness in President Bola Tinubu’s capacity to safeguard governors within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political Dynamics Behind the Impeachment Proceedings

The impeachment initiative is being driven by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. These lawmakers insist that their actions are not motivated by the political rivalry between Governor Fubara and his former mentor, Wike. Instead, they argue that the governor has violated state governance protocols, including unauthorized expenditure of funds not approved in the state budget.

Implications for APC’s Cohesion and Leadership

Oseni’s commentary underscores a broader concern about the stability and unity of the APC, especially as several governors have recently switched allegiance to the party. The impeachment of a sitting APC governor like Fubara could be interpreted as a failure of the party’s leadership to maintain discipline and protect its members from internal conflicts and political attacks.

Contextualizing the Situation with Recent Political Trends

In recent years, Nigerian politics has witnessed a surge in intra-party disputes, with impeachment attempts becoming a common tool for settling political scores. For instance, in 2023, similar impeachment efforts were seen in other states, reflecting a pattern of political instability that challenges governance and development. The outcome of Governor Fubara’s case may set a precedent for how such conflicts are managed within the APC moving forward.

Rufai Oseni’s Perspective on Presidential Authority

According to Oseni, the success or failure of the impeachment will serve as a litmus test for President Tinubu’s influence over his party’s governors. If Fubara is removed from office, it could signal a diminished presidential capacity to shield APC governors from political adversaries, potentially weakening the party’s cohesion ahead of upcoming elections.