A prominent civil society organisation has issued a strong call for constitutional order amidst the escalating political tension in Rivers State. The National Vanguard for Democratic Coalition (NVDC) has urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to strictly adhere to the provisions of the law in its renewed attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Constitutional Process Must Not Be Compromised
In a statement released on Saturday, the NVDC's Coordinator, Mr. Felix White, emphasised that due process must not be compromised. The group stressed the critical need for lawmakers to exhaust all constitutional avenues to address what they describe as Governor Fubara's alleged disregard for the rule of law. Mr. White warned that any attempt by the legislators to subvert the law would constitute a betrayal of Nigeria's democratic principles.
This development marks the third impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara since he took office in 2023. The NVDC stated that this recurring situation highlights deepening concerns over the governor's strained relationship with the state legislature. The group accused the governor of fuelling the ongoing political crisis through actions that allegedly undermine constitutional order and the sacred principle of the separation of powers.
Budget Dispute at the Heart of the Crisis
The NVDC pinpointed a central issue in the controversy: Governor Fubara's alleged failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State Assembly. The group described this omission as unprecedented among serving governors in Nigeria. According to the CSO, this refusal, coupled with a perceived failure to recognise the Assembly as an independent arm of government, could be interpreted as gross misconduct.
This alleged misconduct falls under the scope of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which clearly outlines the legal procedure for impeaching a sitting state governor. The NVDC insists that the Rivers State House of Assembly must not retreat from the impeachment process if the governor fails to correct these alleged infractions. They argue that enforcing accountability is essential to protect democracy within the state.
Call for Governor to Step Aside for Stability
Felix White concluded the statement by suggesting that the "honourable option" for Governor Fubara, should he remain unwilling to comply with constitutional provisions, would be to step aside. The NVDC believes this action is necessary in the interest of restoring stability and ensuring effective governance for the people of Rivers State.
The group also expressed concern that residents of the state are bearing the brunt of the prolonged standoff between the executive and legislative arms. They asserted that peace can only return if the governor adheres strictly to constitutional procedures in all his dealings with the House of Assembly.
In a related development, the Chairperson of the Rivers State faction of the Labour Party, Hilda Dokubo, has characterised the recent political crisis as an abuse of democracy. Speaking on News Central, Dokubo criticised the Assembly's move to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy, describing the lawmakers' actions as unconstitutional.
"This particular administration has often done things that are not constitutional," Dokubo stated. "Some of us have continued to question the constitutionality of what is happening... the people in offices keep breaking the rules, and so we don't know what constitution they are operating on." Her comments underscore the deepening legal and political confusion surrounding the governance of Rivers State.
