The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred controversy by calling for the impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubura, an act deemed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an invitation to chaos.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State chapter, asserts that the move for impeachment is crucial to uphold democracy and enforce the rule of law in the state.Tony Okocha, the APC caretaker committee chairman in Rivers State, recently urged the state House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubura.However, Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, condemned the impeachment call as an endeavor to unlawfully oust a democratically elected governor.The PDP highlights that the individuals directed by the Rivers State APC chairman to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubura have forfeited their legislative seats following their defection from the PDP to the APC.According to section 109 (1) (g) of the Nigerian constitution, members of the House of Assembly lose their seats if they defect to another political party before the expiration of their term. Therefore, the PDP asserts that these individuals lack the legal standing to propose or execute impeachment.The PDP emphasizes that the APC’s directive for impeachment constitutes a blatant disregard for democratic principles and a violation of the constitution, potentially leading to anarchy.Moreover, the ALGON chairman, Allwell Ihunda, alongside the chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, raised concerns about Governor Fubura withholding allocations of the LGAs since April, citing it as executive misconduct.Ihunda accuses the governor of neglecting to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting (JAAC), necessary for fund disbursement to the LGAs, thereby jeopardizing local governance.ALGON asserts that Governor Fubura’s actions undermine the constitutional provisions guaranteeing the autonomy and funding of local governments, urging the State House of Assembly to intervene.Meanwhile, ALGON’s Legal Adviser, Erastus Awortu, and chairman of Andoni LGA, affirm that democratically elected chairmen will remain in office as per the law, even beyond their term’s expiration, until new elections are conducted.In summary, the political standoff in Rivers State escalates as the PDP and ALGON denounce the APC’s impeachment call and Governor Fubura’s alleged executive overreach, urging constitutional adherence and democratic stability.
