The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed the Chief Decide of the state to adjust to a subsisting court docket order halting strikes to question Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The occasion mentioned the Chief Decide has a authorized responsibility to obey the interim injunction issued by a Rivers State Excessive Court docket, which restrained any motion on the impeachment course of initiated by members of the State Home of Meeting.
The APC, led by Emeka Beke, mentioned its place was reached after a cautious evaluation of occasions surrounding the impeachment transfer and the position performed by lawmakers within the state.
In an announcement signed by the occasion’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC expressed displeasure over the conduct of Meeting members, together with these recognized as APC lawmakers.
The occasion faulted lawmakers who, in line with the assertion, “trumpeted loyalty to our occasion and Mr President may give themselves to the unfolding choreographed legislative coup d’etat towards the collective curiosity, progress and improvement of our occasion within the state”.
The APC warned that the impeachment try amounted to an pointless extension of legislative powers and will deepen inside divisions throughout the occasion in Rivers State.
“We warn once more that this can be a pointless legislative overreach having noticed the recalcitrance on the a part of members of the Home of Meeting, together with ‘APC’ members!” the assertion mentioned.
The occasion acknowledged that the Structure grants the legislature powers to hold out impeachment proceedings underneath Sections 129 and 188 of the 1999 Structure, as amended.
Nevertheless, it careworn that the interpretation of what constitutes “gross misconduct” stays subjective and largely depending on the discretion of the lawmakers.
“It’s common data that the Legislature is empowered underneath Part 129 and 188 of the 1999 Structure (as amended) to conduct impeachment,” the assertion learn.
“Because the ruling occasion in Rivers State, we’re equally conscious of the provisions of paragraph (11) of Part 188, which is topic to political interpretation by the Legislature, as that paragraph is neither normative nor goal as a result of act(s) that represent ‘gross misconduct’ is/are what solely the legislature deem to be misconduct.”
The APC argued that no matter how the allegations towards Governor Fubara and his deputy had been framed, they remained open to public debate and interpretation.
It warned that the impeachment effort may have long-term penalties for the occasion’s unity and public standing within the state.
“This unlucky path chosen by the legislative arm subsequently serves as harmful footnote to the well being and survival of the APC in Rivers State,” the occasion acknowledged.
The APC additionally immediately addressed the Chief Decide of Rivers State, urging strict compliance with the court docket’s interim order.
“In the meantime, we name on the Honourable Chief Decide of Rivers State, to respect yesterday’s interim injunction in Swimsuit No OYHC/7/CS/2026 that restrained him from receiving/appearing on the resolutions of the Rivers State Home of Meeting,” the assertion added.
The occasion additional appealed to the nationwide management of the APC to step in and stop the state of affairs from escalating.
It known as on the Nationwide Working Committee to deploy inside disciplinary and conflict-resolution mechanisms supplied underneath the occasion’s structure.
“Lastly, we name on the nationwide management of the occasion to right away activate inside mechanisms obtainable to the Nationwide Working Committee underneath Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 Structure (as amended) to avoid wasting our expensive occasion from an embarrassing state of affairs,” the assertion concluded.