APC Leaders, Civil Society Groups Urge NASS to Take Over Rivers Assembly, Amid Political Crisis

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), together with civil society organisations (CSOs) and media professionals, have called on the National Assembly to invoke constitutional provisions to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly as the political crisis in the state deepens.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday during a one-week rally hosted at the APC Secretariat, representatives of the APC Leaders’ Forum and allied CSOs described the Rivers State legislature as having “lost credibility, legitimacy and public trust.” They argued that the assembly’s ongoing attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, amounted to an abuse of legislative power and a threat to democratic governance.

The groups urged federal lawmakers to invoke Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the National Assembly to assume the functions of a state legislature that can no longer discharge its duties, to restore constitutional order in Rivers State.

APC Leaders and allied activists accused a faction of 27 state lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike — led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule — of fueling the crisis. They alleged that the lawmakers have pursued personal interests despite receiving substantial constituency funds, luxury vehicles, and advance salaries, yet remained determined to frustrate the Fubara administration.

The protesters also lauded the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, for refusing to constitute a panel to investigate alleged gross misconduct by the governor and deputy, saying the decision upheld the rule of law in the face of the impeachment effort.

The coalition vowed to sustain civic mobilisation and to press for decisive constitutional intervention by the National Assembly until legislative normalcy is restored in Rivers State.

Background: The crisis has roots in ongoing tensions between the governor and the state House of Assembly, with impeachment notices and political standoffs intensifying since early January 2026. Federal intervention arguments have resurfaced as attempts to resolve the standoff through local mechanisms falter.