Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the National Assembly to take over the legislative activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly in order to restore state constitutional order.
The APC Leaders Forum condemned the impeachment attempt against State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, claiming that it is politically driven and undermines democracy in the state.
The issue erupted last Friday, when the assembly asked the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to form a seven-member panel to probe suspected egregious misconduct by Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, insisted that the impeachment process proceed, seeing it as the only way to resolve the political impasse.
However, on Thursday, the Chief Judge rejected forming a judicial panel, citing existing court orders prohibiting him from doing so.
Members of the APC Leaders Forum responded to the news, saying the Assembly had lost credibility and public trust as a result of repeated abuses of legislative powers and irresponsible attempts to impeach the governor.
The statement, signed by Ibrahim Danjuma (National Leader), Akpan Ekpeyong (National Secretary), and civil society activists Ifeanyi Okorie, Maryann Douglas, and Collins Akpofure, read as follows: “Rivers State is sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis. What is unfolding is no longer legislative oversight but a clear abuse of legislative authority. Democracy is under serious threat. The allegations against Governor Fubara are unsubstantiated and unsupported by law or facts.”
The forum called on the APC at the national level to protect democracy and oppose the impeachment attempt.
It accused the 27 assembly members who supported former governor Nyesom Wike of stealing Rivers State resources for personal and political benefit.
“The Governor has shown prudence and is ready to work for the people of Rivers State, not for a few who want Rivers State bankrupt. We will sustain this battle until our president sacks Wike and the National Assembly takes over the legislative responsibilities of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the High Court of the Oyigbo Division in Port Harcourt deferred indefinitely the petition filed by Fubara and his deputy to challenge the impeachment process.
The presiding judge, Justice Fiberesima, adjourned sine die following proof of two different appeals filed, stating that this would allow the Appeal Court to decide the case before it.
S. I. Amen, SAN, the principal counsel for the Speaker and 27 other members, had moved orally to halt further hearings pending appeal. The application was not challenged by lawyers for the claimants or other defendants.
The state chapter of the APC, led by Chief Emeka Beke, urged Governor Fubara to conduct an urgent stakeholders’ conference to guide the party in the state.
The party also praised the government for confirming Fubara as APC leader in Rivers State. Dalington Nwauju, APC Publicity Secretary, stated that President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that every existing governor is recognized as the party’s leader in the state.
“This reaffirmation vindicates Rivers APC’s long-standing position on the governor’s leadership and aligns with our national party direction,” Nwauju said.
He also called for the resignation of Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, following statements about the impeachment process. Nwauju encouraged the National Working Committee to hold congresses at the ward, LGA, and state levels to resolve leadership conflicts.
According to our correspondent, the APC in Rivers currently has two factions: one led by Emeka Beke and another by Tony Okocha, both of whom are recognized by the national leadership.
