APC chieftain slams “legislative rascality” in Rivers Assembly
A former South-East spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately suspend all its lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Onoh described the ongoing attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as “legislative rascality” and a “calculated coup” against constitutional governance. He argued that the lawmakers’ actions are self-serving and threaten to drag the party’s reputation into disrepute.
Onoh, who also chairs the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, accused the legislators of prioritizing personal ambition over the stability of the state. He noted that the allegations of “gross misconduct”—specifically the non-presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill—ignore the reality of the emergency budget provisions currently in place until August 2026. The chieftain maintained that the simultaneous targeting of both the governor and his deputy reveals a clear agenda to seize executive power through the “back door.”
The statement highlighted that this marks the third attempt to remove Governor Fubara since he took office in 2023. Onoh pointed out that the lawmakers involved defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2025, just days before the governor himself joined the ruling party. He urged the APC national leadership to activate disciplinary measures under the party’s constitution to safeguard internal cohesion and prevent what he termed a “dangerous legislative overreach.”
Historical context of failed impeachments in Rivers State
Drawing from his experience as a former legislator, Onoh reminded the current assembly members that no governor in the history of Rivers State has ever been successfully impeached during the Fourth Republic. He cited the failed attempts against former governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2013, which were eventually frustrated by a combination of judicial interventions and public resistance. According to him, those who fail to learn from the political history of the state are “doomed to repeat it.”
Onoh warned that the continued friction between the executive and the legislature risks destabilizing the Niger Delta region, with potential negative consequences for economic activities and national security. He noted that the people of Rivers State deserve a government focused on service and progress, rather than “endless power struggles disguised as oversight.” He suggested that if the lawmakers wish to continue their “rascality,” they should return to the PDP instead of causing embarrassment to the APC.
The call for suspension comes at a time of high political tension in Port Harcourt, following a dramatic reversal by four lawmakers who had briefly called for a “political solution” before rejoining the impeachment push. Onoh’s stance reflects a growing concern within certain quarters of the APC that the crisis is being fueled by “godfatherism” and a refusal to honor previous peace accords brokered by the presidency.
Legal and political hurdles mount against the Assembly
The impeachment plot has faced significant legal challenges, including a recent interim injunction from a Rivers State High Court. The court restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State from receiving or acting upon any correspondence from the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, regarding the constitution of an investigative panel. Legal practitioners have also warned the Chief Judge to recuse himself from the process due to a perceived conflict of interest stemming from past petitions filed by the assembly.
Despite these hurdles, the pro-Wike majority in the assembly has insisted that the process will proceed, claiming that the governor has shown “no remorse” for his alleged constitutional infractions. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other socio-cultural groups have also called on the APC to protect Fubara, describing the impeachment move as a “betrayal” of the Ijaw nation. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether the APC national leadership will heed Onoh’s call for disciplinary action or allow the legislative process to run its course.
As the crisis deepens, the Federal Government’s silence on the matter has become a point of contention for both sides. While some view the lack of intervention as a sign of respect for state autonomy, others see it as tacit approval of the attempt to unseat the governor. Onoh concluded his statement by urging all parties to respect the rule of law and the democratic mandate given to the governor by the people of Rivers State in the 2023 elections.
