RismadarVoice Reporters
January 18, 2026
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to comply with an interim court order restraining him from receiving or acting on any resolution from the Rivers State House of Assembly regarding the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
The call was made in a statement issued on Saturday in Port Harcourt by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, and made available to journalists.
The appeal followed a resolution passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly during its plenary on Friday, where the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, directed the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The lawmakers had resolved to initiate impeachment proceedings, accusing the governor of what they described as an uncooperative attitude and disregard for the House, despite ongoing appeals and interventions from various quarters.
However, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyibo Local Government Area on Friday issued an interim order of injunction restraining the Speaker of the Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and other parties from transmitting any correspondence or resolution to the Chief Judge in furtherance of the impeachment process.
In the ruling delivered by Justice F. A. Fiberesima, the court also restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, considering, forwarding, or acting on any resolution, request, or document from the Assembly relating to the constitution of a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct of the governor and his deputy. The injunction is to remain in force for seven days, pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
The matter was adjourned to January 23, 2026, for further proceedings.
Reacting to the development, the APC spokesman, who spoke with the backing of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed concern over what he described as a “legislative coup d’état” by members of the Assembly, most of whom belong to the ruling party in the state.
Nwauju warned that the action of the lawmakers could have grave consequences for the APC in Rivers State, despite their earlier public declarations of loyalty to the party and President Bola Tinubu.
“We have painstakingly analysed the circumstances leading to the latest move by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu,” the statement said.
“Regrettably, members who previously professed loyalty to our party and Mr President have now embarked on a choreographed legislative coup d’état against the collective interest, growth, and development of the APC in Rivers State.”
The party described the impeachment move as an unnecessary legislative overreach and warned that it could undermine the party’s stability and credibility in the state.
While acknowledging the constitutional powers of the legislature under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to initiate impeachment proceedings, the APC noted that what constitutes “gross misconduct” remains largely subjective and open to political interpretation.
“No matter how well-crafted the allegations may appear, they remain subjective in the court of public opinion,” the statement added.
The APC further urged its national leadership to intervene urgently by activating internal party mechanisms to avert what it described as an impending embarrassment for the party.
“This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm poses a serious threat to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State,” the statement warned.
“We therefore call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect and comply with the interim injunction in Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026, restraining him from receiving or acting on any resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The party also appealed to the National Working Committee of the APC to invoke provisions of Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 APC Constitution (as amended) to address the situation and protect the party’s interest in the state.
