APC Tells National Assembly to Take Over Rivers Assembly Functions

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Leaders Forum has called on the National Assembly to immediately take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing what it described as a deepening constitutional crisis fueled by persistent impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The forum made the call against the backdrop of the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, where tensions between the executive arm led by Governor Fubara and the state legislature have continued to escalate. According to the APC Leaders Forum, the situation has reached a critical point that now requires federal legislative intervention as provided for under Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the APC Leaders Forum accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of losing credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to what it termed the “persistent abuse of legislative powers” and a “reckless and politically motivated attempt” to impeach the governor.

The statement was jointly signed by the forum’s National Leader, Ibrahim Danjuma, its Secretary, Akpan Ekpeyong, and several other national officers. The group warned that Rivers State was “sliding dangerously toward a constitutional breakdown” if urgent steps were not taken to halt what it described as legislative excesses.

According to Ekpeyong, the impeachment process being pursued by the Assembly has gone beyond constitutional oversight and has become a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance in the oil-rich state. H

He said the continued pressure on Governor Fubara, despite subsisting court orders and the absence of any proven misconduct, posed a serious threat to democracy.

“Democracy in Rivers State is under grave threat. Silence at this critical moment would amount to complicity,” Ekpeyong said. “What is playing out is no longer about accountability but a calculated attempt to plunge the state into chaos for narrow political interests.”

The APC Leaders Forum commended the Chief Judge of Rivers State for refusing to constitute a probe panel to investigate the impeachment allegations, noting that such action would have violated existing court orders.

The forum described the Chief Judge’s stance as a courageous affirmation of the rule of law and a clear rejection of illegality

It further argued that the Constitution clearly stipulates that impeachment proceedings must be based on proven allegations of gross misconduct, which it said had not been established in the case against Governor Fubara. According to the forum, the accusations levelled against the governor remain vague, unsubstantiated, and politically driven.

The APC group also accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of engaging in what it called “procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and open disregard for judicial authority.” Such conduct, it argued, had rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional responsibilities 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 legislative functions of a state assembly in situations 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 APC Leaders Forum specifically accused the group of 27 lawmakers loyal to former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of masterminding the crisis. The lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, were alleged to be driving the impeachment agenda for personal and political gain rather than the public good.

According to the forum, the lawmakers are more focused on diverting state resources for their own benefit than ensuring that public funds are used to improve the lives of Rivers State residents.

“They are more interested in self-serving politics than governance,” the statement read. “This is a betrayal of the mandate given to them by the people.”

The forum also hinted at sustained civic action if urgent steps are not taken, stating that protests would continue until decisive constitutional measures are implemented. It called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise and maintain a civic presence around the National Assembly to resist what it described as “legislative anarchy” in Rivers State.

While stressing the need for peaceful engagement, the APC Leaders Forum maintained that pressure from citizens was necessary to compel lawmakers at the federal level to act in defense of democracy and constitutional order.

In its concluding remarks, the forum defended Governor Fubara, describing him as prudent, restrained, and committed to the welfare of Rivers people despite the political headwinds confronting his administration. It warned that the state must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation and power struggles.

“Rivers State is too important to be held hostage by political vendettas,” the statement added. “The stability of the state and the wellbeing of its people must come first.”

As the crisis continues to unfold, all eyes are now on the National Assembly to see whether it will heed the call for intervention or allow the political standoff in Rivers State to run its course.