Civil society organisations, media professionals, and leaders of the APC on Friday called for urgent constitutional intervention in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, demanding that the National Assembly take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with Section 11 of the Constitution.

Addressing journalists during a one week non stop rally at the APC Secretariat on 23rd January 2026, the groups declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly had lost credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to what they described as persistent abuse of legislative powers and a reckless attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

They warned that Rivers State was sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis, stressing that the ongoing impeachment process was no longer about legislative oversight but a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance. According to them, democracy in the state was under serious threat and silence at this point would amount to complicity.

The groups commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel and for respecting existing court orders, describing the decision as a clear affirmation of the rule of law and a rejection of illegality. They insisted that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Fubara, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

They further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such conduct rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional duties. On this basis, they urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and assume the legislative functions of the state assembly to restore order and democratic stability.

The APC Leaders Forum and civil society groups also alleged that 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were behind the crisis. They claimed the lawmakers had received constituency project funds estimated at about ₦350 million each, luxury SUV vehicles, and up to one year salary in advance, yet remained unsatisfied and determined to frustrate the current administration. According to the groups, the lawmakers were more interested in diverting state resources for personal benefit than allowing public funds to serve the people of Rivers State.

The coalition vowed to sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action was taken, including the takeover of legislative functions by the National Assembly. They called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise, maintain civic presence around the National Assembly, and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.

They maintained that Governor Fubara had shown prudence and commitment to the welfare of Rivers people, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation.

The groups concluded with a call for unity in defence of democracy, declaring their resolve to continue the struggle until constitutional order is fully restored in Rivers State.

The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has revealed that ₦152 billion was paid yesterday to contractors with verified contracts, as part of efforts to resolve a protest that disrupted activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday, January 19.

The protest, staged by indigenous contractors over outstanding payments for executed contracts, prevented access to the ministry’s premises and briefly blocked Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anite, from entering her office.

BAVCCA, in a press conference addressed in Abuja by its National Secretary, Tabuko Kennedy on Thursday, January 22, clarified that the issue predated Anite’s assumption of office and was already being addressed by relevant government structures. The association’s independent panel of enquiry found the contractors’ grievances genuine, with many facing financial difficulties due to delayed payments.

According to BAVCCA, about 80% of verified obligations have been processed and paid, with the balance at various stages of reconciliation and documentation. The Federal Government has agreed to convene roundtable discussions with contractor representatives to harmonize records and expedite outstanding payments.

BAVCCA commended Anite’s commitment to resolving the issue, emphasizing that she had appealed for patience and requested time to understand the issues. The association urged contractors to pursue grievances through lawful and structured engagement, while calling on the media to report responsibly and avoid inflammatory narratives.

The incident has highlighted systemic administrative challenges, rather than personal failure or negligence by the Minister of State for Finance, BAVCCA noted.

The association urged, “the Federal Government to conclude outstanding verified payments.
“Contractors to embrace dialogue and documentation driven resolution.
“The media to report responsibly and avoid inflammatory narratives.
“Constructive engagement, transparency, and respect for institutions remain the best path forward.

PART OF THE STATEMENT READS
It is important to state that Doris Uzoka Anite has held the office of Minister of State for Finance for less than one month at the time of this incident. Our findings confirm that the contractors’ protest predated her assumption of office and was already being handled under the supervision of the Coordinating Minister and relevant government structures. Personalising the issue against her was therefore unfair and misleading.

Upon assuming office, the Minister appealed to contractors for patience, requested time to fully understand the issues, and committed to working with all relevant institutions to achieve a sustainable resolution, demonstrating good faith and empathy.

BAVCCA Panel of Enquiry
BAVCCA constituted an independent Panel of Enquiry comprising experienced content creators, investigative journalists, civil society observers, and policy analysts. The panel engaged contractors, Ministry officials, and independent observers to establish facts and assess responsibility.

Our Findings
The grievances of contractors are genuine. Many have executed verified projects and are experiencing financial difficulties due to delayed payments.

Status of Payments
Payments have commenced and are ongoing. Several contractors confirmed receipt of payments or partial settlements. The Federal Government has stated that about 80 percent of verified obligations have been processed and paid, with the balance at various stages of reconciliation and documentation. We urge completion of the remaining verified payments.

Dialogue and Resolution
Engagements between contractor representatives and government officials have resulted in an agreement to convene round table discussions to harmonise records and expedite outstanding payments.

Ministerial Responsibility
Our findings confirm that the Minister of State for Finance does not unilaterally control payment execution, which involves multiple agencies and statutory processes. We found no evidence of bad faith, obstruction, or personal misconduct by the Minister.

Rule of Law and Conduct
While protest is a democratic right, blocking public offices and preventing officials from performing their duties undermines governance and public safety. Grievances must be pursued through lawful and structured engagement, the statement concludes.

***demand resignation of Finance Minister, Uzoka-Anite

No fewer than one thousand (1000) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have formed a strong Coalition to back the ongoing protest against the Federal Government, by Nigeria’s local contractors in Abuja.

The Coalition has also called on the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, to resign quietly, to save Nigeria of the imminent economic crisis.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by the Representative of National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), Comrade Wisdom Abah; that of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Engr. Istifanus Pam; Movement for Accountable and Good Governance (MAGGo), Comrade Babatunde Ibidapo; National Coalition for Peace, Unity and Progress (NCPUP), Alhaji Babale Idris; and that of National Forum of APC Young Professionals (NFAYP), Engr. Lukman Adejobi; on behalf of other groups.

The groups frowned at the refusal of the Finance Minister to implement the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the outright payment of the outstanding debts owed the indigenous contractors in Nigeria.

They tagged it as a major sign of “economic sabotage”, ascribing the ongoing protest to “unwarranted negligence” of Dr. Uzoka-Anite, saying the ongoing civil action would hamper and ground the nation’s economy.

“We have been sounding this warning, calling and begging the Honourable Minister of State for Finance. This was what we were trying to avoid. But today, it is coming upon the nation. This whole thing was avoidable, but for the unwarranted negligence of the Minister, this is happening”, the statement said.

The Coalition, while acknowledging “the patience, long suffering, perseverance, and display of patriotism” by the Contractors whom they said, have endured the “shame and suffering since 2024”; also called on President Tinubu to urgently constitute another Presidential Committee to take over the responsibility of payment of the debts from the Finance Minister and her team.

“We have understudied this whole issue and we can comfortably tell anyone, including Mr. President, that this is a dangerous signal for economic sabotage. Dr. Uzoka-Anite and her collaborators should not be allowed to handle this issue anymore. It would do this country more harm than good. Infact, the Minister should quietly resign and abdicate her duties, to save the country from the looming economic crisis.

“If not for sabotage, why on earth should you allow the Federal Government to accumulate such a high debt of over four trillion naira (N4tr) since 2024, on projects that have been completed and even Commissioned by the executive. Her own case is even worse than Mr. Wale Edun. She is said to be selecting those contractors from her state of birth or those close to her contacts and paying them.

“Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite promised that warrants would be released once the list of eligible contractors was provided. The Contractors have since submitted the list of eligible recipients and it has been duly confirmed. Yet, no payment has followed the submission, aside some handful selective payments.

“Some of these local contractors have died as a result of pressure from banks where they took loans from, to execute the jobs. Some companies are now rendered bankrupt, while some business owners are down with stroke. Yet, the government is engaging in selective payment to their cronies and foreign contractors.

“Despite the intervention of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the directive from President Tinubu in December that all debts should be cleared, these guys appear adamant. And it is not as if there is no fund. This is total sabotage and the end result is disastrous”, the Coalition warned.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had reported that, the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) on Monday resumed its protest in Abuja over N4 trillion debt owed to its members by the Federal Government for completed capital projects appropriated in the 2024 budget.

Speaking with journalists during the protest at the Ministry of Finance on Monday, AICAN President, Mr Jackson Nwosu, warned that the association might be forced to take drastic action if the outstanding payments were not settled.

Nwosu said the funds used to execute the 2024 capital projects were largely sourced from commercial banks, placing contractors under severe financial pressure; threatening to totally shut down the economy of the country, as “our next line of action”, “if they do not kill us”

NAN quoted Nwosu as saying, many contractors had defaulted on bank loans, leading to the seizure of properties, while some members had reportedly died as a result of the financial strain.