Anger and rejection across Rivers State have greeted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in the state on Tuesday night, with individuals and organizations condemning the move.
In this action, the President suspended major democratic institutions, including the executive and legislature, with Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly suspended for an initial period of six months.
He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Abas as the sole administrator for Rivers State for the period.
Reacting to the development, the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, blamed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for orchestrating the President’s decision, alleging that Wike frustrated all efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis.
While calling on the people to remain calm, Governor Fubara, in a press statement signed on his behalf by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, stated that all efforts made to foster peace, unity, and stability in the state were thwarted by Wike.
He emphasised that his administration’s priorities in Rivers State had been the protection of lives and property and ensuring the continuous progress of the state.
He said: “Since our dear Governor assumed office, all his actions and decisions have been guided by his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty.
“Even in the face of the political impasse, he remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else.
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“This is 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 judgment as soon as we received the certified true copy of the ruling, to restore normalcy to the state.
“These steps were taken not for personal gain but to foster peace, unity, and stability in our dear state.”
The Commissioner added: “Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the Minister of FCT, frustrated our efforts, making genuine peace and progress difficult. That is why it is shocking that Mr. President sacked the Governor while allowing his Minister, who is the principal actor, to remain in office.”
Obinna Igbogidi, convener of a political group, described the move as tragic and critical at this moment in Rivers State’s history.
While acknowledging the difficult position the President faced, he argued that the declaration of a state of emergency was a hasty decision that could have been avoided if “our leaders had taken responsibility to prioritize the well-being of the Rivers people.”
In a statement, Igbogidi said: “This is not the time to celebrate political triumphs or lament political failures, but a time to reflect deeply on the consequences of the political crisis and the future of Rivers State.”
Similarly, the South-South Youths Initiative expressed regret over President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, following the prolonged political crisis.
In its reaction, conveyed through a statement by its National President, Comrade Imeabe Oscar, the group stated that the President could have taken alternative measures rather than suspending the democratically elected executive arm of the state for six months and appointing a sole administrator.
“We, the leaders and members of the South-South Youths Initiative, express our deepest regrets over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, following the lingering political crisis.
“However, our main concern is that the President did not suspend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, who is the primary reason the crisis has remained unresolved. The President’s refusal to mention Wike in his address and to suspend him alongside others shows bias in handling the crisis.
“It is publicly known that the political battle is mainly between Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. It is also on record that the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly is merely acting on Wike’s instructions.
“Given these facts, it is clear that allowing Wike to continue in office while others have been suspended sends a message to the region’s youths that the President prioritizes the peace of one man over the peace and development of Rivers State.
“Therefore, we call on President Bola Tinubu, in the interest of fairness, equity, and justice, to immediately suspend former Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as FCT Minister. This would reassure us of his fairness in this declaration.
“Additionally, we urge the National Assembly to reject the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. We have prayed that democracy in this country remains intact, despite its current challenges.
“It is unexpected that the President would take a path that contradicts the principles of the rule of law in a country that claims to be democratic. If this was necessary, why was a state of emergency not declared in some northern states where bandits, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups are killing and maiming people?
“We, however, call for calm as the state navigates this difficult period in its history.”
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware that declaring a state of emergency in a democratic system is not the solution to the self-inflicted crisis plaguing Rivers State.
Eze, who belongs to the APC faction approved by the Rivers State High Court, said the President should have called Wike to order, as he is the “arrowhead of the crisis in Rivers State.”
He said: “Calling Wike to order would have resolved all issues concerning the crisis, but instead of doing the needful, President Tinubu turned a blind eye when the whole world knows that Wike lost all sense of decorum after losing control of the state’s treasury.
“If Nigerians are not careful, Tinubu is using Rivers State as a test run for his plan to turn this nation into a one-party state.”
A major critic of Wike in Rivers State, Eze added:
“Despite the declaration of a state of emergency, I must commend and congratulate Governor Sim Fubara for being a leader who did everything possible to rescue Rivers State from those trying to hijack its treasury.
“You have exposed to the world who Nyesom Wike is and what he stands for. Do not mind the setback—at the right time, when they are tired, they will restore your powers and office to you.
“You have embarrassed Wike and his backers in Aso Rock by standing your ground, despite their efforts to achieve their aims.
“With this declaration, Tinubu has shown that he is not interested in winning Nigerians’ hearts ahead of the 2027 general elections but has instead damaged the political party many of us sacrificed our lives to build.
“The fact remains that the level of crisis Wike has brought to Rivers State is appalling and should trouble any reasonable person who sees how he was used by external forces to set the state on fire.”
However, some believe the state of emergency was the right decision, including the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
Reacting to the situation, the Speaker urged the people to remain calm.
In a statement, he said Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to uphold his oath of office was responsible for the current situation.
He assured that the legislature would continue to abide by the rule of law and expressed optimism that the state would soon return to peace.
A non-governmental organization (NGO), Rivers Peace Initiative (RPI), has expressed concern over the state of emergency.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria applauded President Tinubu’s decision, stating that it was long overdue and would restore stability in Rivers State.
Leader of the group, Chimenem Worlu, said: “I thank President Bola Tinubu for answering the call of Rivers State youths. We have been calling on him for a long time to rescue us.”
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