Rivers Elders Reject Emergency Rule, Question Presidential Decision.
Elders in Rivers State have strongly opposed the declaration of a state of emergency, arguing that the decision was made hastily and is not a viable solution to the political crisis in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a national broadcast, announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and state lawmakers, citing their failure to resolve political differences. He also referenced the destruction of pipelines by suspected militants as a factor in the decision.
However, speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a chieftain of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), disagreed with the President’s move, insisting that all avenues for mediation should have been exhausted before resorting to emergency rule.
“President Tinubu’s invocation of Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution at this time is inappropriate,” he said.
“The president claims to have declared a state of emergency to restore peace, but the real question is: why is the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the key figure in the crisis, not suspended?” he asked.
Questioning the Legitimacy of the Decision
Sara-Igbe maintained that it was unconstitutional to suspend or remove elected officials, particularly when the situation in Rivers did not warrant such drastic action.
“Unlike in Sokoto, Borno, and other northern states, there is no war or loss of lives in Rivers that warrants the declaration of emergency rule in a peaceful state,” he argued.
He further accused the President of insincerity and bias, claiming his actions and comments suggest he has taken sides in the political crisis.
Similarly, environmental and human rights activist Ann-Kio Briggs criticised Tinubu’s justification for the emergency declaration, particularly his claim that Fubara failed to brief him or condemn the pipeline explosions.
She noted that the governor had, on multiple occasions, updated the President on the situation.
“On March 11, PANDEF met with the President to brief him and seek his intervention; the group had also made efforts to mediate peace between Fubara and Wike.
“So, for President Tinubu to give the impression that no efforts were made to resolve the crisis is misleading,” she stated.
Briggs also questioned the credibility of using pipeline vandalism as justification for emergency rule, pointing out that oil pipelines have been attacked in the Niger Delta for decades without such measures being taken.
Concerns Over Democratic Integrity
She acknowledged the President’s constitutional power to declare a state of emergency but insisted he lacked the authority to suspend an elected governor.
“This decision is hasty, rash, and premeditated, posing a grave threat to the people of the state. It is a targeted plot against Governor Fubara, and it is unacceptable,” she said.
Briggs further referenced Wike’s past remarks on national television, where he allegedly claimed to have the capacity to sabotage pipelines, questioning why the minister was not suspended.
“Why wasn’t the minister suspended, considering he is a major player in the crisis and the one the 27 lawmakers take instructions from?” she asked.
Political Fallout
Meanwhile, Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 Rivers governorship election, held all political actors responsible for the state’s crisis.
He described the emergency rule as a dark chapter in Rivers politics and an indictment on those involved.
According to him, the President was forced to intervene after political leaders failed to resolve their differences amicably.
“Today is a dark day in Rivers politics; the President had no choice but to step in to address the situation.
“I believe the President made some attempts to resolve the issues, but he did not push hard enough to bring the matter to a peaceful conclusion,” Cole remarked.
The state of emergency continues to generate widespread debate, with concerns over its implications for democracy and governance in Rivers State.
