House Of Reps Endorses State Of Emergency In Rivers

The House of Representatives of Nigeria on Thursday through a unanimous vote endorsed the request by President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspend the governor and the house of assembly for six months. There were 243 out of the 360 members of the house in attendance.

The South-South Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, issued a statement expressing their deep concern.

They argued that the situation in Rivers State did not meet the constitutional criteria for a state of emergency, which required conditions such as war, external aggression, or a breakdown of public order.

They also pointed out that the constitution provided clear procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, which appeared to have been bypassed.

They proposed the rescission of the state of emergency and urged all parties to engage in dialogue. 

The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, chaired by former Governor Rufus Ada George, condemned the declaration as “unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional.”

They accused Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of instigating the crisis and creating a perceived state of anarchy.

They argued that Governor Fubara had made genuine efforts to comply with the Supreme Court judgment and present the budget, but had been frustrated by the House of Assembly.

They criticized the president for singling out Governor Fubara and the lawmakers for suspension while leaving Minister Wike untouched.

Former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi also vehemently condemned the suspension of elected officials, calling it a “brazen and unilaterally reckless” move that violated the constitution.

He argued that the president had no power to remove a state governor by fiat and urged the National Assembly to reject the illegality.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a press statement, appealed for calm and law-abiding behavior. He emphasized that his actions had always been guided by his constitutional oath and the interest of the people.

He stated that he had implemented the agreed terms of peace brokered by the president and complied with the Supreme Court judgment.

He accused the House of Assembly of frustrating his efforts and making genuine peace difficult. 

A response to the declaration, signed by an unnamed individual, strongly disagreed with the decision, arguing that it set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

They argued that security challenges should not be an excuse for political overreach and that the Supreme Court’s judgment did not override constitutional provisions protecting democratic governance.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in a press statement, questioned who had advised President Tinubu to take such a course of action.

He warned of the dangerous economic implications of the decision, citing the potential for renewed militancy and a collapse of oil production. He also emphasized the strain on the military, which was already fighting on multiple fronts.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also rejected the emergency rule, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers State.

They argued that the president had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and that the reasons adduced for the declaration did not justify it under the constitution. 

A joint press conference by concerned leaders and political stakeholders condemned the “unconstitutional declaration” as a “clear subversion of democracy.”

They argued that the president’s action was driven by “petty favouritism” and that he had ignored alternative legal avenues for resolving the crisis.

They called for the immediate reversal of the proclamation and urged the National Assembly and the judiciary to act against it. 

The situation in Rivers State was clearly volatile, with strong opposition to the state of emergency from various stakeholders.

The coming days would be crucial in determining the fate of the state and its democratically elected government.