In what appears to be escalating political unrest in Rivers State, the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has instructed its 27 members in the House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The call for impeachment follows accusations of the governor’s alleged failure to abide by a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu and his subsequent actions deemed controversial by the opposition.
The APC claims that the governor's refusal to honor the agreement, which also involved Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his recent move to declare the APC lawmakers' seats vacant, are indicative of a disregard for constitutional norms. Chief Tony Okocha, the caretaker committee chairman of the Rivers State APC, expressed concerns in a press briefing, stating that the governor’s actions reflect a shift towards authoritarian rule. He argued that Governor Fubara has effectively sidelined the legislative power in the state, raising fears over the absence of checks and balances in the governance of Rivers.
This political upheaval comes even as Governor Fubara is preparing to celebrate his first year in office with the commissioning of several significant infrastructure projects across the state. Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the Rivers State Government and Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, outlined a 20-day long agenda starting next Tuesday, which includes the commissioning of major roads and developmental projects aimed at improving the state’s infrastructure.
In defense of Governor Fubara, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Joseph Johnson, contended that the APC lawmakers do not have the legal or moral standing to impeach the governor. He emphasized the legal principle that assembly members who defect from the party that brought them to power automatically forfeit their seats, questioning the legitimacy of the impeachment call.
As the political drama unfolds, Rivers State remains on edge, with the APC vowing to push forward with their demands and the state government dismissing their claims as an illegitimate power grab. With major developmental projects on the horizon and a political crisis simmering, the state is at a critical juncture that could define its immediate future both politically and economically.
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