FOLLOWING renewed political hostility in Rivers State, especially the recent face-off between the camps of Governor Siminilayi Fubara and The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the state House of Assembly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that Fubara “egregious actions” were fuelling his impeachment process.
The APC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Friday, May 10, dismissed Fubara’s claim that the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers are non-existent, saying the governor’s declaration was “reckless” and a “direct affront” to the country’s constitution, which vested legislative authority on the House.
The 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers loyal to Wike had on December 11, last year defected to the APC.
And on Tuesday, May 7, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, called on the pro-Wike loyalists of the Assembly to immediately commence an impeachment process against Fubara.
In response, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, at a press briefing on Wednesday, May 8, cautioned the APC to perish any thought of forceful takeover of the state
But Morka said: “The PDP tendered a hogwash argument that by Section 109 of the Constitution, the 27 House of Assembly members who defected from PDP to APC have forfeited their seats, and echoed the governor’s declaration that the Rivers State House of Assembly is non-existent.
“Contrary to PDP’s assertions, it is not the APC that is calling for the impeachment of Fubara; rather, by his egregious actions, conduct and infantile comments, Fubara is actively and vehemently precipitating his impeachment.
“Fubara’s declaration that the Rivers State House of Assembly does not exist is not only reckless, it is a direct affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The House of Assembly is a creation of the constitution and vested with the legislative authority of the state.
“The members of the Assembly were elected by the good people of Rivers State in the same manner that Fubara was elected governor.
“The 27 APC lawmakers did not lose their membership of the Assembly by virtue of their decampment, as only a properly constituted court of law can make a determination as to whether a member of the House of Assembly has vacated his seat in accordance with that provision of the Constitution.”
As a result, he insisted that the 27 lawmakers “remain the constitutionally recognised and authorised members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The APC noted that Fubara continues to “conduct the business of government unhinged and in total contempt of the state legislature, while he “expends the state’s resources without regard to appropriation and public procurement laws.”
Recall that on Wednesday, May 8, Fubara barred all heads and officials of the 23 local government in the state from appearing before the Assembly, warning that any chairman that appeared before the lawmakers risks being sacked.
