The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Chief Judge of the state to obey a subsisting interim court order amid ongoing im­peachment moves against Gov­ernor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The party warned against what it described as an impend­ing legislative coup in the state.

In a statement issued on Satur­day by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC said it had carefully reviewed recent actions of the Rivers State House of Assembly and expressed grave concern over what it termed a “choreographed legislative over­reach” capable of destabilising governance and undermining democratic norms.

The party faulted the decision of lawmakers to press ahead with impeachment proceedings despite an interim injunction, noting that some legislators who claim loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu were allegedly acting against the col­lective interest and long-term survival of the party in Rivers State.

While recognising that Sec­tions 129 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) em­power the legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings, the APC maintained that the man­ner in which the process is being pursued raises grave political and ethical concerns.

Nwauju said: “We have pains­takingly analysed the issues leading to the latest step taken by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with impeachment against Gov­ernor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.

“Regrettably, some lawmakers who profess loyalty to our party and Mr President have chosen to participate in what amounts to a choreographed legislative coup d’état, which does not serve the growth and development of our party in Rivers State.”

The APC warned that the im­peachment process, as currently pursued, constitutes a needless legislative overreach, particu­larly given what it described as the recalcitrant posture of some lawmakers, including those iden­tified with the party.

The party further noted that Paragraph 11 of Section 188 of the Constitution, which defines “gross misconduct,” is subjective and open to political interpreta­tion, as the determination rests solely with the legislature.

According to the APC, regard­less of how strongly framed the allegations against the gover­nor and his deputy may appear, they remain subjective in the court of public opinion and risk deepening political divisions in the state.

The party cautioned that the path being taken by the House of Assembly threatens democratic stability in Rivers State and could damage the APC’s credibility and future electoral prospects.

The APC called on the Chief Judge of Rivers State to strictly comply with a subsisting interim injunction in Suit No. OYHC/7/ CS/2026, which restrains him from receiving or acting on any impeachment-related resolutions from the House of Assembly.

The statement said: “We call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect the in­terim injunction restraining him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

The party also urged the na­tional leadership of the APC to intervene urgently by activat­ing internal disciplinary and conflict-resolution mechanisms available to the National Working Committee under Article 21(b) (iii) of the party’s 2022 Constitu­tion (as amended).

It warned that failure to act promptly could plunge the party in Rivers State into an avoidable crisis and expose it to public em­barrassment.