The threat by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shut down the Goodluck Jonathan administration as a result of the political crisis in Rivers State was yesterday exposed as an empty one.

Rising from a meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, last Thursday, the APC Interim National Executive Committee (NEC) had directed its members in the National Assembly to shoot down any executive bill, including the confirmation of the Service Chiefs and newly nominated ministers, until the federal government stops alleged acts of impunity in Rivers, an APC state.

APC senators, however, disregarded the directive yesterday and joined in the screening of the new Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosun.

APC senators joined in screening the Service Chiefs were Femi Ojudu of Ekiti Central; Akin Odunsi of Ogun West; Kabiru Marafa of Zamfara Central; Mohammed Sani Saleh of Kaduna Central; Attai Aidoko of Kogi East; Bindowo Jibrilla of Adamawa North; and Boroffice Ajayi of Ondo North.

News Express reports that the APC NEC directive had attracted widespread condemnation from Nigerians, who described it as unpatriotic and sure to compound the woes of the masses.

•Photo shows Senator Femi Ojudu, one of the APC senators who chose to put national interest ahead that of party.