The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has warned that the state must not be allowed to slide into what it described as a legislative coup d’état.
The party made the declaration while calling on the Chief Judge of Rivers State to comply with a recent court order issued by the High Court.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said it had carefully reviewed the circumstances surrounding the decision of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Ordu.
The party expressed concern that lawmakers who openly identify with and support the President could allegedly allow themselves to be drawn into what it termed a premeditated legislative coup that undermines the party’s collective objectives, stability, and development in Rivers State.
According to the APC, the impeachment move is unnecessary, especially in view of the reported refusal by some members of the House of Assembly, including APC lawmakers, to cooperate with the process.
The party acknowledged that, under Sections 129 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the legislature has the constitutional power to carry out impeachment. However, it noted that Section 188(11) is open to political interpretation by the legislature, as it is neither objective nor strictly defined.
The APC further stated that what constitutes “gross misconduct” is solely at the discretion of the legislature, adding that regardless of how detailed or well-drafted the allegations against the governor and his deputy may appear, they remain subjective opinions in the eyes of the public.
It warned that the path chosen by the lawmakers poses serious risks to the stability, credibility, and future of the APC in Rivers State.
The party also urged the Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect and comply with the interim injunction issued in Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026, which restrains him from receiving or acting on the resolutions passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Finally, the APC called on the party’s national leadership to intervene immediately and invoke the internal mechanisms provided under Article 21(b)(iii) of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended) to prevent what it described as an avoidable and potentially embarrassing crisis for the party.
