Fubara Impeachment: Rivers APC Insists Court Order Must Stand
The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a sharp legal turn as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in the state officially called upon the Chief Judge to respect the subsisting Fubara impeachment court order. Led by Chief Tony Okocha, the party’s leadership emphasized that the judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man by adhering strictly to the rulings of the Federal High Court.
This intervention comes amidst a high-stakes standoff between the executive and legislative arms of the state government, where the threat of removal has loomed over Governor Siminalayi Fubara for several months.
The APC’s stance focuses on a specific judicial directive that restrains the Rivers State House of Assembly from taking further steps in the impeachment process. According to the party, any attempt by the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel or facilitate the removal of the Governor would be a direct affront to the rule of law.
Chief Okocha argued that the party, despite being in opposition to the Governor’s PDP administration, prioritizes the sanctity of the legal system and the preservation of democratic institutions over partisan gain. The committee warned that disregarding a valid court order could plunge the state into an unprecedented constitutional crisis and widespread civil unrest.
This development follows a period of intense legislative friction, where a faction of the House of Assembly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike has frequently clashed with the current administration. The APC’s call for the Chief Judge to “stay his hands” is a strategic move aimed at ensuring that the judicial process is not weaponized to settle political scores.
The party highlighted that as long as the court order remains in place and has not been vacated by a superior court, every institution of government, including the office of the Chief Judge, is legally bound to comply with its provisions.
Furthermore, the Rivers APC noted that the current climate in the state requires a high degree of transparency and judicial independence. They pointed out that the eyes of the international community and the Nigerian public are on the Rivers State judiciary.
By insisting on the enforcement of the Fubara impeachment court order, the party aims to prevent the setting of a dangerous precedent where legislative power is exercised in defiance of judicial oversight. They maintained that for peace to prevail in Port Harcourt and across the twenty-three local government areas, all actors must operate within the boundaries of the 1999 Constitution.
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As the legal battle intensifies, the role of the Chief Judge has become a focal point of the entire saga. The APC leadership reiterated that their demand is not an act of support for the Governor’s policies but a necessary defense of the Nigerian constitution.
The party called on all security agencies and judicial officers to remain neutral and ensure that no individual, regardless of their political standing, is allowed to bypass the law. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the judiciary will uphold the existing injunction or if new legal maneuvers will alter the course of the Rivers State government.