FG backs emergency rule, says Tinubu’s declaration timely to avoid Rivers collapse
…Swears in Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator
…Maintaining law and order my utmost task — Ibok-ete Ibas
…Senate postpones debate on Rivers State of Emergency
…Fubara’s suspension ‘undemocratic and unconstitutional’ – Amaechi
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Federal Government has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling the move both timely and necessary to avert the collapse of governance in the oil-rich state.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi on Wednesday addressed the media in Abuja, stating that the declaration was an essential step to prevent further deterioration in the state’s political and security landscape.
“The President acted decisively and timeously in the face of growing instability, we are already two years into the administration in the state. Waiting any longer could have resulted in irreparable damage. President Tinubu had given ample time for all stakeholders to address the situation, but unfortunately, it reached a point where immediate intervention was required to safeguard lives and property,” be said.
Recall that on Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
This move, according to Fagbemi, was in response to escalating threats to public order, constitutional breaches, and security risks, including the unaddressed explosion of a gas pipeline in the state.
The state of emergency declaration, authorised under Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, also saw the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as the sole administrator for Rivers State.
Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to restore law and order until normal governance is restored.
The swearing in ceremony, which took place on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja was witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and many others.
Fagbemi stressed that the decision was not taken lightly, as it followed multiple failed mediation efforts aimed at resolving the power struggles between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The President had made sincere efforts to bring about peace through dialogue, but these efforts were not fruitful. The state of emergency became the only viable option to maintain stability,” Fagbemi explained.
The Attorney General also dismissed criticisms suggesting that the President’s action was politically motivated or that it favored certain individuals, particularly former Governor Wike.
He pointed out, “If anyone feels aggrieved by the President’s actions, they are free to seek recourse through the National Assembly. However, we are confident that the President’s decision aligns with the best interest of Nigeria, particularly given the importance of Rivers State to our national economy.”
FG also confirmed that funds allocated to Rivers State will be given directly to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, the state’s newly appointed Sole Administrator.
“It will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” Fagbemi stated when asked about the handling of the state’s financial allocation.
…Maintaining law and order my utmost task — Ibok-ete Ibas
In this vein, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (retd.), the newly appointed Sole Administrator for Rivers State, has vowed that his top priority will be restoring law and order in the state.
In his first public statement after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, Ibas emphasised that maintaining peace and security would be essential for any progress to occur in the state, following the declaration of a state of emergency by the President.
“We know the circumstances that led to why we are here, and Mr. President made it clear in his broadcast. If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” Ibas said.
Ibas further pledged to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to restore order, security, and stability to Rivers State, which has been plagued by political and security instability in recent months.
…Fubara’s suspension ‘undemocratic and unconstitutional’ – Amaechi
Meanwhile, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has ignited a fierce backlash from former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who has described the move as an unprecedented assault on Nigeria’s democracy and constitution.
Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire state House of Assembly, labeling the act as unilateral and reckless.
In a statement titled “My Immediate Reaction To The Undemocratic, Unconstitutional Suspension of Elected State Officials In Rivers State,” Amaechi argued that the decision not only undermines democratic principles but also violates the Nigerian Constitution.
He questioned the legality of the president’s actions, stating that such a drastic measure goes against the constitutional framework that governs the removal of state officials.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State,” Amaechi declared.
The former Governor stressed that the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 188, outlines the process for the removal of a state governor, which does not include arbitrary proclamations by the president.
He further argued that “A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President,” adding that this unilateral action has the potential to set a dangerous precedent.
Amaechi also raised alarm about what he described as an “orchestrated plot” to unconstitutionally impose certain individuals on the people of Rivers State, suggesting that forces beyond the state’s political sphere were at play.
“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers,” Amaechi noted.
…Senate postpones debate on Rivers State of Emergency
The Senate has postponed its planned debate on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, citing a delay in the commencement of plenary on Wednesday.
The debate, which was initially scheduled for the day, has now been moved to Thursday (today).
The suspension of the debate came after Senate leadership delayed the plenary for nearly two hours, with many senators not yet present.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who sponsored the motion, moved to step down the debate, citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
This motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), and the Senate moved on to the next legislative item without further discussion.
The motion, sponsored by Bamidele, expressed concerns over the worsening security situation in Rivers, particularly the rise of militant activities and incidents of oil pipeline vandalization. It also called for extraordinary measures to restore good governance and security in the state.
The debate will require a two-thirds majority, or 73 votes out of 109 senators, for approval of the state of emergency, which would validate the extraordinary measures imposed by the president.
