…Rivers State Has Enjoyed Peace Under Fubara’s Govt
A coalition of concerned civil society organizations in Rivers State has vowed to take legal action against what they describe as an unconstitutional move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the approval of the National Assembly, to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and impose a state of emergency in the state.
The groups argue that the president’s actions violate Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the process for removing a governor. They likened Tinubu’s actions to those of Adolf Hitler, accusing him of undermining democracy in Rivers State.
In a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the coalition expressed disappointment that despite the alleged constitutional violations, both chambers of the National Assembly endorsed the decision, effectively sanctioning what they described as the illegal suspension of a democratically elected governor.
“We are constrained in the circumstance to take all available legal measures to restore constitutional democracy in Rivers State.”
They emphasized that Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution provides a clear method for the removal of a governor or deputy governor. Any action taken outside this process, they said, is unlawful and should not be recognized by the people.
The groups also criticized the appointment of an administrator to govern Rivers State, arguing that Tinubu had overstepped his constitutional powers. They noted that while Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution allows the National Assembly to take over legislative duties in extreme cases, it does not grant the president the authority to install an administrator or enact laws for the state.
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“Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates the methods and procedure for the removal of a Governor and/or Deputy Governor of a state and any action to remove a democratically elected Governor or Deputy Governor outside the way and manner prescribed under Section 188 of the Constitution is unlawful and does not deserve the respect and obedience of the people.
“Aside from acting ultra vires his powers in suspending the Governor and appointing an Administrator in his stead, President Tinubu went further to arrogate to himself powers as of the time of Adolf Hitler of Germany, by declaring that the
Administrator he appointed should make proclamations – laws for Rivers State, whereas, Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution clearly empowers the National Assembly to take over the business of lawmaking for Rivers State in the circumstance.”
The coalition dismissed the justification for imposing a state of emergency in Rivers State, noting that the state has remained peaceful under Governor Fubara’s leadership. They urged the president to instead focus on regions plagued by terrorism and banditry.
“Rivers State has never been this peaceful in over a decade. There are parts of Nigeria that truly require military intervention areas largely under the control of terrorists and armed bandits.
“One would have loved to see the President channel his despotic inclination to those areas to recapture and restore those territories under state control.”
The civil society groups accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating political instability in Rivers State. They alleged that Wike influenced lawmakers to block Governor Fubara’s budget presentation, despite a Supreme Court directive to do so.
According to the group, Fubara made multiple attempts to present the budget, including notifying the State Assembly and personally visiting the House, only to be locked out. The lawmakers, the group claimed, later adjourned indefinitely under Wike’s influence, before returning to serve an impeachment notice on the governor.
“For the president to suspend Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly members while failing to take any action against Minister Nyesom Wike, who is within his powers to discipline, is a clear miscarriage of justice that has drawn public outrage.”
The groups further alleged that Tinubu’s decision was motivated by a desire to protect oil interests in the state. They claimed the president falsely accused Fubara’s supporters of threatening oil installations to justify his intervention.
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“President Tinubu has openly sided with the FCT Minister’s faction in the Rivers political crisis. His so-called concerns over oil installations are merely an excuse for an unjustifiable attack on constitutional democracy.”
The civil society organizations urged the people of Rivers State to remain peaceful despite the ongoing political crisis. They assured the public that they would pursue all legal avenues to overturn what they called an illegal and undemocratic intervention by the federal government.
The coalition includes: Amb. Tombani Dumica-Ikote (Rivers Indigenous NGOs and Civil Society Network – RINGOCS) Dr. Sophia Daniels (Peace Building Manager, Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Entrepreneurial Development – ISPED), PILEX Center for Civic Education Initiative Center for Rural Integration and Development, The Brooks Foundation, Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace and Development (CIEPD)
