Civil society groups, media professionals, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday staged a protest in Abuja over the deepening Rivers State political crisis.
The demonstration, held at the APC National Secretariat, called for urgent intervention by the National Assembly as tensions continue to rise in the oil-rich state.
At the centre of the protest was a demand that federal lawmakers invoke Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The protesters argued that the assembly has suffered a total collapse of credibility and can no longer act in the public interest.
The coalition strongly condemned the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing them as an open threat to democratic order.
According to the APC leaders, “The Rivers State House of Assembly has lost all credibility due to persistent abuse of legislative powers and a desperate impeachment plot.”
The statement was greeted with loud applause from protesters, many of whom carried placards calling for constitutional order.
Addressing journalists, APC Leaders Forum spokesperson, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, warned that the situation had moved beyond legislative oversight.
“This is no longer oversight it’s a vendetta to destabilise governance. Silence now is complicity!” he said.
Meanwhile, the protesters praised Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, for declining requests to set up a probe panel.
They described the decision as a rare act of courage. Furthermore, they said it helped shield the judiciary from being drawn into what they called a political battle.
Civil society coordinator, Comrade Blessing Ibama, insisted there was no basis for impeachment.
“No shred of evidence shows gross misconduct by Governor Fubara the allegations are pure political fiction,” she said.
She added that the assembly’s conduct, including alleged disregard for court orders, had rendered it unfit to function.
The coalition accused 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of worsening the Rivers State political crisis.
The lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, were alleged to have collected huge sums for constituency projects, luxury SUVs, and advance salaries. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
In addition, the protesters vowed to sustain pressure until action is taken.
“We call on Nigerians to mobilise peacefully at the National Assembly and crush this legislative anarchy,” Ibama urged.
She stressed that Governor Fubara’s leadership should not be sacrificed to political ambition.
The protest drew representatives from several groups, including civil society organisations led by Comrade Ifeanyi Okorie and Dr. Maryann Douglas. Media professionals and APC leaders, such as Engr. Ibrahim Danjuma and Elder Akpan Ekpeyong, were also present.
