A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as a “choreographed legislative coup.”
Naijaonpoint reports that the party’s spokesperson in the state, Darlington Nwauju, stated this in a reaction issued on Saturday following the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to write to the Chief Judge, requesting the constitution of a seven-man panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
In a statement, Nwauju said the party had carefully reviewed the actions of the lawmakers and expressed deep concern over what he described as a reckless abuse of legislative powers.
He 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 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.”
He warned that the action amounted to a “needless legislative overreach,” accusing some lawmakers, including APC members, of recalcitrance.
Nwauju acknowledged that the Constitution empowers the legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings but cautioned against what he described as political misuse of that authority.
He said, “It is common knowledge that the legislature is empowered under Sections 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 acts that constitute ‘gross misconduct’ is/are what only the legislature deems to be misconduct.”
He argued that, regardless of how the allegations were framed, they remained subjective in the public’s eyes.
The APC chieftain warned that the impeachment move could have lasting consequences for the party in the state.
“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,” he said.
Nwauju also urged the Chief Judge of Rivers State to obey an interim injunction restraining him from acting on the impeachment request.
He specifically referenced Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026, in which a Rivers State High Court reportedly barred the Chief Judge from receiving or acting on resolutions of the House concerning the impeachment.
The party spokesperson further called on the national leadership of the APC to intervene urgently to avert what he described as an impending embarrassment.
“We call on the national leadership of the party to immediately activate internal mechanisms available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 Constitution (as amended) to save our dear party from an embarrassing situation,” he said.