In a cautionary statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the People Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives sounded the alarm that the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is paving the way for a potential impeachment of Governor Siminalaya Fubara, could result in chaos and lawlessness.
Under the umbrella of G60, opposition lawmakers, spearheaded by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, criticized the impeachment proposal as ‘absurd, laughable, and devoid of sense.’
The lawmakers highlighted that the 27 members who switched allegiance from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have effectively been removed from their positions, with their seats officially declared vacant in accordance with legal procedures.
Referring to the defectors, the lawmakers emphasized that “there are no longer 27 members in the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
According to their statement, “The purported House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule lacks legal recognition, rendering it illegitimate to conduct legislative functions.”
Expressing disappointment, the opposition lawmakers in the lower House condemned the actions of Rivers Assembly members, accusing them of instigating a crisis to pursue personal agendas instead of prioritizing the state’s progress.
They urged the Rivers State Governor to take legal action against the ousted lawmakers by initiating prosecution through the Magistrate Court for impersonation to restore order.
“They may continue their charade from their modest accommodations in Emohua or Abuja, collecting meager allowances while falsely claiming they have the authority to impeach the Governor.”
“The laws they haphazardly amended have not been enforced. Governance is based on constitutional principles; their seats are vacant, necessitating a fresh election,” he added.