BREAKING: Crisis Breaks Out in APC Over Fubara Impeachment as Party Demands Immediate Resignation of National Publicity Secretary

Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, is facing a renewed internal crisis following sharp disagreements over the political turmoil in Rivers State, where impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy have continued to generate national controversy.

The dispute has now escalated into an open confrontation between the Rivers State chapter of the party and its national leadership, with calls for the immediate resignation of the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. The demand reflects widening fractures within the party over questions of legality, party hierarchy, and the appropriate response to the unfolding Rivers crisis.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the development marks one of the most direct challenges to the authority of a serving national officer in the party’s recent history.

Internal Party Rift Triggered by Rivers Political Crisis

The latest confrontation is rooted in the prolonged political standoff in Rivers State, where tensions between the executive arm of government and factions of the State House of Assembly have persisted. At the center of the controversy are moves by some lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

 

Also Read: BREAKING: Lawyers Write INEC, Begin Recall Process Against Rivers Assembly Members Over Impeachment Move

Within the APC, the situation has exposed competing interpretations of party loyalty and constitutional order. While some national figures have sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, the Rivers chapter insists that the impeachment moves amount to an unlawful attempt to subvert the democratic mandate of a sitting governor elected on the party’s platform.

Rivers APC Issues Formal Call for Resignation

The Rivers State chapter’s demand for Morka’s resignation was contained in a formal statement issued and signed by Mr. Darlington Nwauju, who identified himself as the legally recognized spokesperson of the party in the state. The statement accused the national spokesman of conduct unbecoming of a senior party officer and of actions that allegedly undermined the rule of law.

According to the Rivers APC, Morka’s recent public comments on the Rivers crisis crossed the boundary between personal opinion and official party position. The chapter argued that such remarks, delivered on national television, had the effect of legitimizing actions it considers unconstitutional and deeply injurious to party cohesion.

 

The immediate trigger for the crisis was Morka’s appearance on a national television programme, where he addressed the Rivers political impasse and commented on the leadership structure of the APC in the state. During the interview, he reportedly questioned the standing of Nwauju, describing him as an official of a former state executive committee and casting doubt on his authority to speak for the party.

For the Rivers APC, these remarks were viewed as both misleading and provocative. Party officials in the state accused the national spokesman of trivializing what they described as a grave constitutional matter involving alleged legislative overreach and an attempted usurpation of executive power.

 

At the heart of the disagreement is a long-running dispute over who legitimately controls the APC structure in Rivers State. The party has been factionalized since internal disagreements led to the dissolution of elected executives and the conduct of parallel congresses.

The Rivers APC insists that the issue has already been settled by the courts. In its statement, the chapter cited two judgments it said affirmed the legitimacy of the executives elected on October 16, 2021, and nullified subsequent congresses held in November 2023.

Court Judgments Cited by Rivers APC

The party referenced Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023, filed by Sam Sam Etetegwung against the APC, and Suit No. PHC/3859/CS/2024, instituted by OkwuJoe Brown Ndke against the party. According to the Rivers chapter, both cases resulted in clear judicial pronouncements invalidating the dissolution of the 2021 executives and voiding any replacement process conducted thereafter.

Party officials argue that these rulings provide the legal basis for Nwauju’s continued role as spokesperson. They contend that any suggestion to the contrary represents a direct challenge to the authority of the judiciary and an erosion of respect for court decisions.

Accusations of Disregard for Rule of Law

In strongly worded language, the Rivers APC accused Morka of ridiculing subsisting court judgments by advancing what it called a partisan narrative on national television. The chapter said such conduct was incompatible with the responsibilities of a national officer in a party that claims commitment to constitutional democracy.

The statement asserted that respect for judicial outcomes is not optional within a democratic system and warned that selective obedience to court rulings could set a dangerous precedent for the party and the country at large.

Claims of Undermining Party Unity

Beyond legal concerns, the Rivers APC framed the controversy as a threat to internal party unity. The chapter argued that public disagreements between national officers and state structures weaken the APC’s capacity to mobilize supporters and compete effectively in elections.

According to the statement, Morka’s comments embarrassed party members in Rivers State and deepened existing divisions at a time when cohesion is critical. The chapter warned that failure to address such issues could have lasting consequences for the party’s fortunes in the state.

Allegations of Bias Against a Sitting Governor

One of the more contentious aspects of the Rivers APC’s response was its claim that Morka’s television appearance appeared to favor interests hostile to Governor Fubara. The statement accused the national spokesman of using his platform to “launder the image of a non-party member” while undermining a sitting APC governor described as the undisputed leader of the party in Rivers State.

Although the statement did not explicitly name the individual allegedly being defended, the implication was that Morka’s remarks aligned with forces seeking to weaken the governor’s position amid the impeachment threats.

Party Constitution and the Role of the NWC

The Rivers APC also invoked provisions of the party’s constitution to support its position. It cited Article 13.4(xvi), which assigns the National Working Committee responsibility for liaising with governments formed by the party and safeguarding the political interests of its elected officials.

From the perspective of the Rivers chapter, the national spokesman’s actions represented a failure to uphold these obligations. The party questioned why the NWC would allow a senior officer to publicly downplay what it described as a self-serving impeachment process targeting one of its own governors.

Questions Over Loyalty and Official Position

The statement emphasized that Morka’s televised remarks could not be treated as the official position of the NWC. It described the comments as personal opinions that risked being misconstrued as party policy, thereby compounding confusion among members and the wider public.

Raising questions about loyalty, the Rivers APC suggested that the national spokesman’s stance was inconsistent with the party’s stated commitment to fairness, internal democracy, and respect for constitutional processes.

Legal Profession Drawn Into the Dispute

In a significant escalation, the Rivers APC called on the Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Council to examine Morka’s conduct. The chapter noted that Morka is a trained lawyer and argued that his comments on national television were unbecoming of a legal practitioner.

According to the statement, the remarks were “calculated to detract from the dignity of the court” and risked undermining public confidence in the legal profession. The party said lawyers, particularly those holding public office, have a heightened responsibility to uphold respect for judicial institutions.

Rejection of Disputed Congresses Reaffirmed

The Rivers APC reiterated its rejection of the leadership produced by the November 2023 congresses, which it described as illegitimate and unlawfully conducted. The chapter referred to the exercises as “kangaroo congresses” allegedly organized under the supervision of the party’s national leadership.

It maintained that any decisions or actions taken by those executives lack legal foundation and would not withstand judicial scrutiny. This position further entrenches the factional divide within the state chapter.

Warning to National Leadership

In its closing sections, the statement issued a direct warning to the party’s national leadership, including the National Chairman and National Secretary. The Rivers APC urged them to intervene decisively to prevent a repeat of past internal crises that weakened the party in the state during previous election cycles.

The chapter argued that unresolved disputes and perceived injustice within the party structure have historically contributed to electoral setbacks. It cautioned that failure to act promptly could undermine the APC’s prospects in Rivers State and damage its national standing.

Broader Implications for the APC

The unfolding controversy highlights the challenges facing the APC as it seeks to balance centralized authority with the autonomy of state chapters. The Rivers dispute underscores how internal disagreements, when aired publicly, can escalate into full-blown crises that test party discipline and leadership credibility.

For political observers, the situation also raises questions about how Nigeria’s major parties manage internal conflict, particularly when legal disputes intersect with high-stakes political contests such as impeachment proceedings.

Silence From National Leadership

As of the filing of this report, Felix Morka had not issued a public response to the Rivers APC’s demand for his resignation. The National Working Committee has also refrained from commenting, leaving party members, legal analysts, and the public to speculate on how the leadership will address a dispute that threatens to further fracture the party.

The Rivers political crisis remains fluid, with the impeachment threats against Governor Fubara continuing to dominate public discourse. Within the APC, the episode has become a defining test of its commitment to internal democracy, respect for the rule of law, and the ability to manage dissent without undermining institutional integrity.