Rivers State faces a severe political storm. APC leaders demand action from the National Assembly. They want it to take over the state assembly’s duties.
Background of the Crisis
The trouble started with tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike. Wike now serves as FCT Minister. Lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to APC and pushed for Fubara’s impeachment.
However this marks the third attempt. Previous efforts failed due to court orders and lack of support. The assembly accuses Fubara of gross misconduct, including demolishing their complex and misusing funds.
Key Players Involved
Governor Fubara leads the state under PDP. Yet, Presidency spokesman Daniel Bwala calls him the APC leader in Rivers. This confuses party lines.
Nyesom Wike backs the 27 defected lawmakers. Martins Amaewhule heads this group. They received large funds and vehicles, critics say. APC Leaders’ Forum, led by Engr. Ibrahim Danjuma, opposes the impeachment. Civil society groups and media professionals join them.
Reasons for the Push
The assembly shows procedural lawlessness, groups claim. They ignore court rulings and pursue vendetta politics. No solid evidence supports the impeachment charges.
Additionally the process threatens democracy. The assembly lost public trust. Leaders urge takeover under Section 11 of the Constitution to restore order.
Calls for Intervention
Protesters rallied at APC headquarters in Abuja for a week. They demand that the National Assembly steps in now. Silence means complicity, they warn. Therefore they praise the Rivers Chief Judge. He refused to form a probe panel. This upholds the rule of law.
Potential Implications
If ignored, violence may erupt. Past Rivers politics saw assassinations. The crisis could spread beyond the state. Moreover it tests Nigeria’s democracy. A takeover might calm tensions but questions federal overreach. Fubara’s governance wins praise, yet he needs better crisis handling.
In conclusion, stakeholders seek peace. They call for constitutional fixes to prevent such loopholes. Rivers State deserves stable leadership for progress.
