Civil society organisations, media practitioners and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the National Assembly to urgently intervene in the deepening political crisis rocking Rivers State, citing alleged constitutional breaches and an attempted impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The groups made the call on Friday while addressing journalists during a one-week, non-stop rally held at the APC Secretariat on January 23, 2026. They demanded that the National Assembly invoke Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution to assume the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the coalition, the Rivers Assembly has “lost credibility, legitimacy and public trust” due to what they described as the persistent abuse of legislative powers and a “reckless impeachment plot” against Governor Fubara. They warned that the state was fast drifting into a full-blown constitutional crisis.
The protesters argued that the ongoing impeachment process had gone beyond legislative oversight and had become a deliberate attempt to destabilise democratic governance in Rivers State. They cautioned that continued silence from relevant authorities would amount to complicity, insisting that democracy in the state was under serious threat.
Commending the Rivers State Chief Judge, the groups praised her refusal to constitute a probe panel, noting that the decision respected subsisting court orders and upheld the rule of law. They maintained that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Fubara, describing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
They further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural violations, vendetta politics and outright disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such actions had rendered the Assembly incapable of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
On this basis, the coalition urged the National Assembly to activate Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and temporarily take over the legislative functions of the state assembly in order to restore order, peace and democratic stability.
The APC Leaders Forum and civil society groups also alleged that 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were central to the crisis. They claimed the lawmakers had allegedly benefited from constituency project funds estimated at about ₦350 million each, received luxury SUV vehicles and up to one year’s salary in advance, yet remained dissatisfied.
According to the groups, the lawmakers were more interested in personal gains than in ensuring that public resources were used to improve the welfare of Rivers people.
The coalition vowed to sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action is taken, including the takeover of the Assembly’s legislative duties by the National Assembly. They called on Nigerians of goodwill to mobilise peacefully, maintain a civic presence around the National Assembly and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.
They also defended Governor Fubara, describing him as prudent and committed to the welfare of Rivers residents, and warned that the state must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation.
The groups concluded by calling for unity in defence of democracy, declaring their resolve to continue the struggle until constitutional order is fully restored in Rivers State.