• Fubara’s defection endeared residents to our party, APC declares

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), alongside a coalition of over 70 civil society organisations, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the political crisis in Rivers State, warning that failure to act could endanger national peace and Nigeria’s democratic stability.

The Chairman of the Elders Forum of the CNPP and the coalition of CSOs,  Alhaji Baba Abubakar, while reading the statement issued by the groups during a joint press briefing yesterday in Abuja, urged the President to defend constitutional democracy, protect the mandate of the people of Rivers State and prevent what they described as a dangerous political precedent.

According to them, the situation in Rivers State transcends local politics and constitutes a major test of Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, separation of powers and democratic stability.

The coalition asserted that the political turmoil did not arise from governance failure or constitutional breaches by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but from what it described as a calculated attempt to seize control of state power through the manipulation of legislative institutions.

They maintained that following the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to office and his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expectations of reconciliation and stability were dashed by renewed impeachment threats, which they describe as a deliberate effort to keep the state in perpetual political uncertainty.

The coalition maintained that Fubara had not committed any offence that met the constitutional threshold for impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), insisting that there was no allegation of gross misconduct or breakdown of governance.

It alleged that the Rivers State House of Assembly was being weaponised as a tool for political conquest rather than serving as a guardian of democracy, warning that such a development posed serious risks to national peace and federalism.

MEANWHILE, the APC has stated that the defection of the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has endeared the people of the state to the party.

This was as the committees constituted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to conduct delegate congresses and party primaries ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly by-elections in Rivers State have concluded the process.

Members of the committees for Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II spoke in a joint press briefing after the successful conduct of the exercises in both constituencies on Sunday.

Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Shehu Dange, said the entry of Fubara into the APC has further united and endeared the party to the people of the state.

Danga said the reactions of residents across the constituency reflect renewed confidence in the party’s leadership. He said: “As we moved around the constituency, we saw the reactions of the people. They are happy with the new development and the emergence of a new leader of the APC in the state.

“Fubara’s leadership has further united the APC family. The party is getting stronger in the state because it now has a leader with focus and direction.”

However, the Secretary of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Smart Iheanazor, attributed the excitement witnessed during the exercise to the trust the people have in the governor.

Also, the Chairman of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Khana State Constituency II, Ayoala Peter, said the enthusiasm displayed by party members indicates that the APC is well-positioned for victory in the February 21 by-elections and the 2027 general elections under Fubara’s leadership.