As public scrutiny on the current political crisis in Rivers State continues to evolve, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to comply with an interim court injunction restraining him from receiving or acting on any resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Making the call in a release issued on Saturday for the Emeka Beke-led Rivers APC camp, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Darlington Nwauju, described the action of the legislators as unfortunate.
While warning that it could become a dangerous footnote in the survival of the party in Rivers State, the Party’s Spokesman expressed concern over the decision of the state lawmakers, most of whom are members of the ruling party.
Nwauju therefore called the move to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as a “legislative coup d’état” against the collective interest of the APC in the state.
“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 process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
“Regrettably, we note that honourable members who trumpeted loyalty to our party and Mr President have now given themselves to a choreographed legislative coup d’état against the collective interest, growth and development of our party in the state.
“We warn again that this is a needless legislative overreach, having observed the recalcitrance on the part of members of the House of Assembly, including APC members.”
“it is common knowledge that the legislature is empowered under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to conduct impeachment,” it, however, added that “paragraph 11 of the same section is subject to political interpretation, as what constitutes ‘gross misconduct’ is determined by the legislature itself”.
“Thus, no matter how beautifully crafted the allegations against the governor and his deputy may be, they remain largely subjective in the court of public opinion,” the party said.
“This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm therefore serves as a dangerous footnote to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State.
“Meanwhile, we call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect the interim injunction in Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026, which restrained him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Finally, we call on the national leadership of the party to immediately activate the internal mechanisms available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 APC Constitution (as amended) to save our dear party from an embarrassing situation,” the statement concluded.
Recall, Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday insisted on going ahead with the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Odu which has been temporarily stopped by a High Court, through an order restraining the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving or acting on any correspondence from the Rivers State House of Assembly connected to ongoing impeachment moves.
