CSOs, APC Leaders Demand NASS Intervention Over Rivers Political Crisis

Civil society organisations (CSOs), media professionals and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called for urgent constitutional intervention by the National Assembly to resolve the political crisis engulfing Rivers State.

The groups urged the federal legislature to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), warning that the state was “sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis.”

The call was made on Friday during a one-week non-stop rally at the APC Secretariat in Abuja, where the coalition accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of having “lost credibility and public trust.”

In a joint statement issued by the APC Leaders Forum National Leader, Engr. Ibrahim Danjuma; Elder Akpan Ekpeyong; the National Secretary of civil society organisations, Comrade Ifeanyi Okorie; the Director of Programmes, Dr Maryann Douglas; and the Chairman of Media Professionals, Mr Collins Akpofure, the groups alleged that the lawmakers had persistently abused their legislative powers.

They accused the Assembly of embarking on what they described as a “reckless and desperate move” to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that the process had gone far beyond constitutional oversight.

“The impeachment process in Rivers State is no longer about checks and balances,” the statement said.

“It has become a clear plot to destabilise democratic governance and subvert the will of the people.”

The coalition warned that democracy in Rivers State was under “serious threat,” adding that “silence at this critical stage would amount to complicity.”

They commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel, describing the decision as “a clear demonstration of respect for court orders and the rule of law.”

According to the groups, “no evidence of gross misconduct, as clearly required by the Constitution, has been presented against Governor Siminalayi Fubara,” stressing that the allegations leveled against him were “politically motivated, unsubstantiated and designed to justify an illegitimate impeachment.”

The statement further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of “procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics and blatant disregard for judicial authority,” arguing that such conduct had rendered the Assembly “incapable of performing its constitutional duties.”

“An Assembly that operates outside the law, ignores court orders and pursues personal and political vendettas cannot be trusted with the legislative mandate of the people,” the coalition said.

On this basis, the groups called on the National Assembly to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution and assume the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly “as an urgent measure to restore democratic stability, constitutional order and public confidence.”

The coalition also alleged that 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were responsible for the crisis rocking the state.

They claimed that the lawmakers had received about ₦350 million each for constituency projects, luxury SUVs and salaries paid up to one year in advance, yet remained dissatisfied.

“Despite these benefits, they have chosen personal gain over the welfare of the people of Rivers State,” the statement alleged, adding that the lawmakers were “more interested in political control and material rewards than in serving the public interest.”

The groups vowed to sustain their protests until what they described as “decisive constitutional action” was taken by the National Assembly.

They also called on “Nigerians of goodwill” to peacefully mobilise and maintain a civic presence around the National Assembly in support of democratic governance and the rule of law.

The coalition maintained that Governor Fubara had shown “prudence, restraint and a genuine commitment to the welfare of Rivers people,” urging political actors to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions.

“Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation,” the statement said.

“This is a call for unity in defence of democracy, constitutionalism and the future of the state.”