A faction within the Rivers State chapter of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the Rivers State House of Assembly
for moving ahead with impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi
Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, warning that the development could
destabilise both the party and the state.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its
spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the group said it had carefully reviewed
recent actions of the Assembly and expressed deep concern over what it
described as a “choreographed legislative coup d’état.”
The faction said it was dismayed that some lawmakers,
including those aligned with the APC, were supporting the impeachment process
despite previously professing loyalty to the party and President Bola Tinubu.
“We have painstakingly analysed the issues leading up
to the latest step taken by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to
proceed with the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor
Prof. Ngozi Odu,” the statement read.
“Regrettably, we observe that honourable members who
claimed loyalty to our party and Mr President have aligned themselves with a
choreographed legislative coup d’état against the collective interest, growth
and development of the APC in Rivers State.”
The group warned that Rivers State could ill afford
actions capable of undermining political stability, accusing certain lawmakers
of acting contrary to the party’s broader interests.
While acknowledging that the House of Assembly has
constitutional powers to initiate impeachment proceedings, the APC faction
argued that the process is highly subjective, noting that the definition of
“gross misconduct” under Section 188 of the Constitution is open to political
interpretation.
“Regardless of how well-crafted the allegations
against the Governor and his Deputy may be, they remain largely subjective in
the court of public opinion,” the statement said.
The group cautioned that the Assembly’s action could
set a dangerous precedent with long-term consequences for the APC’s survival
and credibility in Rivers State.
“This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm
represents a dangerous footnote in the history of our party and threatens its
health and survival in the state,” it added.
The faction also urged the Chief Judge of Rivers State
to comply with an interim injunction restraining him from receiving or acting
on any resolutions from the House of Assembly relating to the impeachment
process.
“Meanwhile, we call on the Honourable Chief Judge of
Rivers State to respect the interim injunction in Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026,
which restrains him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers
State House of Assembly,” the statement said.
Finally, the group appealed to the national leadership
of the APC to urgently intervene by activating internal party mechanisms
available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b)(iii) of the
APC’s 2022 Constitution (as amended).
“We call on the national leadership of our party to
immediately deploy all internal mechanisms available to prevent an embarrassing
situation and safeguard the future of the APC in Rivers State,” the statement
concluded.
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