Piqued by the continuous impeachment threat by the Rivers State House Assembly on Governor Sim Fubara, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leaders Forum, has charged the National Assembly take over the legislative functions of the Assembly in line with Section 11 of the Constitution.

The forum declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly had lost credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to what they described as “persistent abuse of legislative powers and a reckless attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.”

Its National Leader, Ibrahim Danjuma; Secretary, Akpan Ekpeyong, National Secretary and four others, in a statement yesterday, warned that the Rivers State was sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis, stressing that the ongoing impeachment process was no longer about legislative oversight but a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance.

According to Ekpeyong, democracy in the state was under serious threat and silence at this point would amount to complicity.

He commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel and for respecting existing court orders, describing the decision as a clear affirmation of the rule of law and a rejection of illegality.

He insisted that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Fubara, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

Furthermore, he accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such conduct rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional duties.

On this basis, he “urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and assume the legislative functions of the state assembly to restore order and democratic stability.

“The 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were behind the crisis.”

He added: “The lawmakers are more interested in diverting state resources for personal benefit than allowing public funds to serve the people of Rivers State.

“We will sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action are taken, including the takeover of legislative functions by the National Assembly.”

In addition, he called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise, maintain civic presence around the National Assembly, and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.

He maintained that Governor Fubara had shown prudence and commitment to the welfare of Rivers people, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation. (The Sun)

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