Nigeria President, TINUBU Fires duly elected Rivers State Governor, Deputy, Legislatures
…Invoke section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended to suspend democratic governance, appoint military into leadership
*Orders Judiciary alone to perform duties inhibited
*Claims military administrator can’t make a new law, should revert to Federal Executive council on any decision
*Peter Obi slams presidency action as ‘Unconstitutional, Assault on Democracy’
*’My Position on Emergency Rule in Rivers State’-Suspended Governor FUBARA
*BY YEMI IBIRONKE/POLITICAL Correspondent, Naija Standard Newspaper, Abuja
NIGERIA PRESIDENT, BOLA AHMED TINUBU has suspended the democratic institutions in Rivers State for failure to reconcile the various factions causing disturbances in the polity of the state. As such, the presidency declared a ‘State of Emergency’, and put in place a military administrator.
Tinubu claimed he was greatly disturbed at the turn regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. He said he had watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.
He explained that with the crisis persisting, there was no way democratic governance, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. As such, the state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
He argues: “It is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
“On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.
“The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”
The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.
Tinubu stated that “Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them. Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.
“Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state. The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
“With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
*’TINUBU’S State of Emergency is Unconstitutional’-PETER OBI
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “unconstitutional and reckless.”
Obi accused Tinubu of disregarding rule of law and showing a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs.
“It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.
“It is a degrading back door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives,” Obi said in a statement on Wednesday via X.
Obi asserted that the political situation in Rivers does not justify the emergency rule and the suspension of Governor Siminlayi Fubara, his deputy and state lawmakers, adding that the action is also a biased interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution.
He said, “A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.
“This action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity.
“Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.”
Obi, therefore, appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow the emergence rule to stand, saying that the action will deepens the culture of impunity and threatens democracy.
*’My Position on Emergency Rule in My State’-Suspended Governor FUBARA
Press statement by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State:
My dear Rivers People,
I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history.
Since assuming office as your Governor, all my actions and decisions have been guided by my constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty.
We prioritized the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of our dear State.
Even in the face of the political impasse, we have remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else.
This was why, immediately after Mr. President’s intervention to broker peace, we did not hesitate to implement the agreed terms in good faith, including welcoming back commissioners who had previously resigned on their own volition.
Furthermore, we moved swiftly to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement immediately we received the certified true copy of the judgement to return the state to normalcy.
These steps were taken not for personal gains but to foster peace, unity and stability in our dear State.
Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult.
Our priorities remained the security of lives and property and advancing the well-being and prosperity of Rivers people.
Yes, we have political disagreements, but good governance had continued, salaries have been paid, and great projects were being executed to move the State forward. Above all, Rivers State is safe, secure and peaceful under our watch.
At this critical time, I urge all Rivers people to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We will engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong and that Rivers State continues to thrive.
We have always been a resilient people, and we will face this situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process.
God bless Rivers State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS
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