The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) this afternoon warned the six rebel lawmakers in the state not to turn it into a theatre of war in their desperation to unseat Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

The party issued the warning via a statement signed by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, senior media aide to the Interim State Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. The statement said the party “received with shock the news of yesterday’s judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, which declared as unconstitutional, the taking over of the Rivers House of Assembly by the National Assembly.”

APC expressed surprise “that the court could render this kind of verdict despite the persisting threat to life and peace in Rivers State as a result of the unpatriotic and sponsored activities of a few members of the Rivers House of Assembly which informed the decision of the National Assembly to take over the functions of the House. We are convinced that this decision is not in the interest of the good people of Rivers State and have, therefore, instructed our lawyers to immediately appeal against it.”

“We wish to alert the Nigerian public about the imminent breakdown of law and order in Rivers State if the judgment of his Lordship, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, is allowed to stand,” the party said, adding: “Already, the five rebel lawmakers in a House of 32 lawmakers have concluded plans to illegally sit as soon as they can to impeach Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his deputy, Tele Ikuru. The aim of these misguided agents of destabilisation sponsored by Education Minister Nyesom Wike is to pave the way for Evans Bipi, leader of the five rebel lawmakers, to be sworn-in as the acting governor.

“Information at our disposal has it that the five rebel lawmakers would be protected by policemen and men of the Armed Forces paid with taxpayers’ money as they perpetrate this illegality and will first declare vacant the seats of the 26 legislators loyal to Governor Amaechi on the grounds that they have defected to the APC. Of course, no part of Nigeria’s laws supports the intended action of the rebel legislators.

“Besides, the Governor of Rivers State knowing the plots of these evil men has gotten a High Court judgment restraining any impeachment act against him or the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. It is also a fact that before any impeachment act is carried out against a sitting Governor the offences of such a Governor will be first transmitted to the Chief Judge of the State who will be expected to set up a Committee to hear the defense of the Governor based on the assumed crimes of the Governor before the Governor can be impeached or otherwise but sadly for those plotting to put Rivers State into this unfortunate state may not know that at the moment Rivers State have no Chief Judge and no impeachment can be initiated against the Governor in absence of a presiding Chief Jude. But Nigerians and lovers of democracy all over the world know that acts of impunity is the second name of PDP and its government at the centre so we are pointing out these facts so that the world will be on the watch out before these undemocratic elements put into motion this act that is capable of derailing our hard earned democracy.

“We urge the good people of Rivers State to remain vigilant while we appeal to those behind this macabre drama to have a change of heart so as not to turn Rivers State into a theatre of war.”

•Photo shows Governor Amaechi, who is reportedly in danger of being impeached by the six Rivers rebel legislators.