APC Urges National Assembly to Take Over Rivers Assembly Amid Impeachment Crisis
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Leaders Forum has called on the National Assembly to immediately assume the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing what it described as an escalating constitutional crisis triggered by repeated impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The forum said the deepening rift between the executive arm of government and the state legislature has pushed Rivers State to the brink, warranting federal intervention under Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In a statement issued after a meeting and jointly signed by its National Leader, Ibrahim Danjuma, Secretary, Akpan Ekpeyong, and other national officers, the forum accused the Rivers Assembly of losing credibility, legitimacy and public trust through what it termed a “persistent abuse of legislative powers.”
According to the group, the impeachment moves against Governor Fubara have gone beyond constitutionally recognised oversight and now amount to a politically motivated effort to destabilise democratic governance in the oil-producing state.
“The situation in Rivers State has reached a dangerous point. What is playing out is no longer about accountability but a calculated attempt to plunge the state into chaos for narrow political interests,” Ekpeyong said.
The forum warned that Rivers State was “sliding dangerously towards a constitutional breakdown” and insisted that silence at this stage would amount to complicity in the erosion of democratic norms.
It commended the Chief Judge of Rivers State for declining to constitute a probe panel to investigate the impeachment allegations, noting that such action would have violated subsisting court orders. The forum described the Chief Judge’s decision as a courageous defence of the rule of law.
The APC group argued that the Constitution clearly requires impeachment proceedings to be based on proven allegations of gross misconduct, which it said had not been established against Governor Fubara. It maintained that the allegations remain vague, unsubstantiated and driven by political interests.
The statement further accused the House of Assembly of procedural violations, disregard for judicial authority and engaging in what it called vendetta politics, arguing that such conduct had rendered the legislature incapable of performing its constitutional duties in the interest of the people.
On this basis, the forum urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution, which empowers it to take over the functions of a state legislature in circumstances where law and order have broken down.
“We call on the National Assembly to act decisively by assuming the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly to restore order, protect democracy and prevent further escalation,” Ekpeyong said.
The forum specifically accused 27 lawmakers allegedly loyal to former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating the crisis. The lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, were accused of pursuing the impeachment agenda for personal and political gain rather than the public good.
According to the forum, the lawmakers are more concerned with self-serving politics and the diversion of state resources than with governance and service delivery to the people of Rivers State.
The group also hinted at sustained civic action if urgent steps are not taken, calling on Nigerians to peacefully mobilise and maintain a civic presence around the National Assembly to press for constitutional intervention.
While stressing the importance of peaceful engagement, the forum said sustained public pressure was necessary to compel federal lawmakers to act in defence of democracy and constitutional order.
In its concluding remarks, the forum described Governor Fubara as prudent and restrained, despite the political challenges facing his administration, and warned against sacrificing the stability of Rivers State to political vendettas.
“Rivers State is too important to be held hostage by political desperation and power struggles. The wellbeing of its people must come first,” the statement said.
As the crisis persists, attention now turns to the National Assembly and whether it will heed calls for intervention or allow the political standoff in Rivers State to continue.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
