Rivers: Akpabio’s Remarks Unnecessary, 27 Pro-Wike Rivers Assembly Lawmakers Are Illegitimate – ITSGL

The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership (ITSGL) has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio over statements about the political crisis in Rivers State, as reported by VANGUARD.

The comments were made during a public lecture in Port Harcourt, celebrating the birthday of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Akpabio acknowledged Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and recognized 26 lawmakers as legitimate members and suggested that these lawmakers could act against Governor Siminialayi Fubara if he refused to cooperate, implying that courts could not stop their constitutional actions.

The ITSGL viewed these statements as divisive and harmful to the state’s stability.

The organization criticized Akpabio for taking sides in a sensitive issue and argued that his position as Senate President requires neutrality, stating that Amaewhule and his group, having defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), were no longer valid members of the Assembly under constitutional provisions.

The group also expressed concern about Akpabio’s suggestion that the lawmakers might take drastic actions against the governor, interpreting this as a possible reference to impeachment and accused the Senate President of fueling political instability and acting in favor of Wike, possibly as a reward for Wike’s past political support.

ITSGL further condemned the tone of Akpabio’s statements, describing them as inappropriate and damaging to his role as Senate President and urged Rivers residents to remain united behind Governor Fubara and resist any external influence that could disrupt peace in the state.

“We are deeply perturbed that such a dangerous and unnecessary statement was made by the Senate President, especially when the matters he referenced are already in litigation. Martin Amaewhule and his associates are no longer legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly after defecting to the APC,” Enyi stated.