The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its call for the impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, citing his alleged disobedience to the Nigerian Constitution and attempts to govern without recognising the state legislature.
This, the party says, is an impeachable offence, News About Nigeria reports.
In a statement released on Friday by its spokesman, Felix Muoka, the APC responded to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) dismissal of its earlier call for Fubara’s impeachment.
The PDP had argued that the 27 House of Assembly members who defected from the PDP to the APC had forfeited their seats, rendering the Rivers State House of Assembly non-existent.
However, Muoka countered that it is not the APC calling for Fubara’s impeachment, but rather the governor’s actions and comments that are precipitating his removal.
Muoka said, “Rather, by his egregious actions, conduct, and infantile comments, Fubara is actively and vehemently precipitating his own impeachment.”
He described Fubara’s declaration that the Rivers State House of Assembly does not exist as “reckless” and a “direct affront” to the Constitution.
According to Muoka, the House of Assembly is a creation of the Constitution, vested with the legislative authority of the state, and comprised of members elected by the people of Rivers State, just like the governor.
He stressed that the Assembly does not exist at the governor’s pleasure or desire and that the legislature is coequal with the executive and judicial arms of government.
He said, “Governor Fubara cannot abrogate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He cannot be governor and be despot-in-chief of the Rivers State House of Assembly, at the same time.”
