A former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu in the South-East, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to suspend its lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly who are allegedly involved in an impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. Onoh made this call in a statement released to the media on Sunday in Abuja, describing the impeachment attempt as a form of legislative misconduct and a threat to democratic governance.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including the non-presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill. However, Onoh argued that this move fails to acknowledge the existence of a nationally approved budget that runs until August 2026, which was enacted under emergency provisions.
This is not the first attempt to impeach Governor Fubara, as two previous attempts were made in 2023. The latest escalation occurred in January 2026, shortly after the lawmakers involved defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 5, 2025. Onoh noted that the simultaneous targeting of the governor and his deputy suggests a deliberate attempt to seize power through non-democratic means.
As the Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Onoh emphasized that the APC should take immediate action to suspend its lawmakers involved in this impeachment move, which he characterized as a self-serving coup against constitutional order. The development has significant implications for the stability of the government in Rivers State and the overall democratic process in Nigeria.
The situation is being closely monitored, and the next steps will be crucial in determining the outcome of the impeachment attempt and the potential consequences for the lawmakers involved. The APC’s response to Onoh’s call for suspension will also be significant, as it may impact the party’s reputation and its commitment to upholding democratic principles.
