Rivers Crisis: APC, Civil Groups Urge NASS to Step In as Assembly ‘Descends into Legislative Tyranny’
Civil society organisations, media professionals and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday staged a protest at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, calling on the National Assembly to urgently intervene in the deepening political crisis in Rivers State.
The protesters urged federal lawmakers to invoke Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which they said has suffered a “total collapse of credibility, legality and moral authority.”
The protest was attended by representatives of several civil society organisations led by Convener, Comrade Ifeanyi Okorie; Director of Programmes, Dr Maryann Douglas; media professionals chaired by Mr Collins Akpofure; APC leaders including Engr. Ibrahim Danjuma, Elder Akpan Ekpenyong, and other party stalwarts.
At the heart of the protest was the ongoing impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which the coalition described as a brazen abuse of legislative power and a grave danger to democratic governance in the state.
Addressing journalists, spokesperson of the APC Leaders Forum, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, accused the Assembly of operating outside constitutional bounds.
“This is no longer legislative oversight; it is naked vendetta aimed at paralysing governance in Rivers State. When lawmakers weaponise impeachment for political ends, democracy itself is under siege,” he said.
The coalition condemned what it termed the Assembly’s “procedural lawlessness,” alleging persistent disregard for court orders and due process. According to the protesters, these actions have rendered the legislature unfit to continue exercising its constitutional mandate.
They praised the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, for declining requests to constitute a probe panel against the governor, describing the decision as “a courageous defence of the rule of law in the face of intimidation.”
Coordinator of the civil society coalition, Comrade Blessing Ibama, said there was no factual or legal basis for the impeachment push.
“There is not a shred of evidence to suggest gross misconduct by Governor Fubara. What we are seeing is political fiction driven by desperation. Rivers State cannot be held hostage by legislative tyranny,” she said.
The protesters accused 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and led by Martins Amaewhule, of fuelling the crisis. They alleged that the lawmakers benefited from large constituency allocations, luxury SUVs and advance salary payments, while simultaneously undermining democratic stability in the state.
Vowing to sustain pressure until decisive action is taken, the coalition called on Nigerians to mobilise peacefully at the National Assembly to demand federal intervention.
“Silence at this point is complicity. We must collectively resist this descent into legislative anarchy,” Ibama added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Governor Fubara, describing his administration as prudent and people-focused, and pledged continued unity to restore constitutional order in Rivers State.
