Mixed Reactions Trail Declaration of State of emergency In River s State

From Emmanuel Preyere, Port Harcourt

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers state and subsequent suspension of elected political office holders.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a swift response to the lingering political imbroglio in Rivers state, had on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 night’s broadcast, announced the suspension of key political figures in Rivers State. Those affected include Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly. The suspension is set to last an initial period of six months.

The president stated, “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.” To ensure continuity in governance, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State. This measure, according to him, is in the best interest of the people, aiming to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation of tensions.

However, the announcement has elicited different reactions from different quarters. While pro-Fubara camp sees the state of emergency as a ploy to remove Fubara from office through an undemocratic processes, Wike’s camp hail the decision, describing it as timely intervention aimed at restoring peace and curbing executive rascality exhibited by Governor Fubara.

THE BEAGLE NEWS correspondents in Rivers reports that following declaration of state of emergency, there is palpable fear and tension among the residents as the streets and relaxation centres are silent and moody

The business organisations are calling newsmen to advise them on whether to cancel engagements and meetings. Oil workers are reaching each other to know what to do before morning, expecting email messages asking them to work from home until things get clear.

The camps loyal to Sim Fubara are silent and sad. The camps loyal to the FCT Minister who is seen to be victorious in the broadcast, are jubilant but quiet about it. Some of them are sending emojis of victory and happiness to their associates.

 Atiku, PDP, AAC Kick

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has attracted scathing criticisms from various stakeholders including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the African Action Congress (AAC).

The PDP rejected the imposition, stating that the President does not have the constitutional power to suspend the democratically elected governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara. PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba described the declaration as “a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.”

Atiku Abubakar also faulted the declaration, describing it as “an assault on democracy that must be condemned in the strongest terms,” noting that the declaration is a political manipulation carried out in bad faith.

The NBA expressed grave concerns about the declaration, stating that the President does not have the constitutional power to remove an elected governor under a state of emergency, emphasising that the declaration remains constitutionally inchoate and ineffective unless approved by the National Assembly.

Condemning the declaration, AAC called it “a cowardly act, an uncivilised move, un-presidential and dangerous to our democracy,” demanding an immediate reversal of the declaration, stating that any government that cannot protect people and property without trampling on constitutionality and the rights of the people is not worthy to be called a government.

 _AGF, APC, Kayode hail Tinubu’s decision._ 

Speaking in defense of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State played a role in the recent destruction of oil pipelines by militants in the state, claiming that Fubara not only failed to prevent the attacks but had also indirectly encouraged the militants.

“There was what I would call telegraphing of the militants by the governor. He initially suggested that he would let them know when it was time to act. Even if we assume that was just rhetoric, did he come out to disown them when they took action? The answer is no. And barely a week after, we saw the vandalisation of oil pipelines,” Fagbemi said.

The AGF emphasised the importance of oil infrastructure to Nigeria’s economy, warning that anyone involved in its destruction is not just an enemy of Rivers State but of the entire country.

“The President acted based on the Supreme Court’s judgment, but also to protect critical infrastructure in Rivers State,” he explained. People were living in fear, and some were losing their lives. This is an extraordinary situation that requires decisive action.”

In his reaction, the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Darlington Nwauju, said the country is adrift, adding “the present scenario playing out in the country reminds one of the classical cases of a mediocre craftsman who continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting.”

On his part, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the president’s intervention follows months of intense political unrest that has disrupted governance in the state.

In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Fani-Kayode described Tinubu’s move as a necessary step to restore order, stating “the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State is a bold and commendable move that will restore peace and stability.

“I also believe this will help bring all major political actors back to their senses. When children refuse to stop fighting, the father must step in lest they burn the house down.