The factional All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has condemned the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, describing the action by the State House of Assembly as a legislative coup d’état.
The party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, made the assertion while reacting to the decision of the Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings and forward a letter to the Chief Judge of the state, requesting the constitution of a seven-man panel to investigate the governor and his deputy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Nwauju said: “We have painstakingly analysed the issues leading up to the latest step taken today by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by electing to proceed with the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu.
“Regrettably, we note that the honourable members who trumpeted loyalty to our party and Mr. President can give themselves to the unfolding 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 a common knowledge that the Legislature is empowered under Section 129 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to conduct impeachment. As the ruling party in Rivers State, we are equally aware of the provisions of paragraph (11) of Section 188 which is subject to political interpretation by the Legislature as that paragraph is neither normative nor objective because act(s) that constitute “gross misconduct” is/are what only the legislature deem to be misconduct.”
Nwauju further stated that regardless of how the allegations against the governor and his deputy are framed, they remain subjective in the court of public opinion.
He said: “This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm, therefore, serves as dangerous footnote to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State.”
The APC spokesman also urged the Chief Judge of Rivers State to comply with Friday’s 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.
