Federal Government Defends State of Emergency in Rivers
ABUJA – The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He dismissed allegations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was involved in the political turmoil that led to the drastic measure.
Fagbemi clarified that the federal government had no choice but to intervene following the persistent crisis in Rivers, which he claimed was worsened by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions.
He accused the now-suspended governor of orchestrating attacks on critical infrastructure and failing to uphold democratic governance.
He further stated that federal allocations to Rivers would be managed by Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.), the newly appointed sole administrator.
Fubara Accused of Encouraging Militants
According to Fagbemi, intelligence reports indicate that Fubara had indirectly encouraged militants to attack oil pipelines. He argued that the governor neither condemned the threats nor took preventive action, leading to security concerns in the region.
“Let’s not forget that oil revenue is critical to Nigeria’s economy. Any attempt to disrupt this should be seen as a threat not just to Rivers State but to the entire country,” he said.
Supreme Court Findings Against Fubara
The AGF cited Supreme Court rulings that reportedly found multiple constitutional breaches by the Rivers governor, including his alleged illegal control over a faction of the State House of Assembly.
He noted that the destruction of the Assembly complex was a direct attack on democracy and governance.
“We are talking about a situation where a governor reduced the House of Assembly to just four members and moved them to Government House to conduct legislative activities,” Fagbemi explained.
PDP Governors Condemn Tinubu’s Decision
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has strongly opposed the emergency rule, describing it as an attack on democracy. In a statement, the forum’s chairman, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, accused President Tinubu of enabling Nyesom Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We stand with Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State. This move threatens democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for opposition parties in Nigeria,” Mohammed stated.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also weighed in, warning that removing elected officials under the guise of emergency rule was unconstitutional.
Defence Minister Backs Tinubu
On the other hand, Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has thrown his full support behind Tinubu’s action, emphasizing the need for stability in Rivers.
He warned that security forces would respond firmly to any attempt to disrupt public order.
“Any attack on government facilities will be met with a strong response,” Matawalle cautioned.
What’s Next for Rivers State?
With the National Assembly expected to deliberate on Tinubu’s decision within 48 hours, political observers are watching closely.
The opposition insists that the emergency rule is unwarranted, while the federal government maintains that it was necessary to prevent further crisis.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear—Rivers State has become a battleground for political power, and its future remains uncertain.
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