NGF Breaks Silence on Rivers Crisis, Explains Neutral Stance

Amid mounting public and media pressure, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has addressed its silence on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency.

In a statement released Saturday, the Director General of the NGF, Abdulateef Shittu, clarified that the forum’s neutrality is intentional and rooted in its core mission to remain non-partisan. The NGF, comprising all 36 state governors across political divides, said it avoids taking positions on issues that could polarize its membership.

“The Forum is an umbrella body for subnational governments. Our role is to promote unified policy positions and work with stakeholders to drive socioeconomic development,” the statement read.

Shittu acknowledged that the NGF Secretariat had received multiple inquiries regarding its silence on the crisis but emphasized that intervening in politically charged controversies would violate the Forum’s founding principles.

“Taking sides in partisan matters risks reopening old wounds. Only a few years ago, political divisions nearly tore the Forum apart,” he noted.

The NGF, he added, remains committed to issues of governance such as minimum wage, taxation, healthcare, and education—areas where the Forum has previously taken decisive positions. “Our silence should not be mistaken for indifference, but rather a reflection of our dedication to constructive engagement over political entanglement.”

The Forum also appealed for public and media understanding, reiterating that “appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms” exist to resolve political disputes.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier in the week declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a deepening political impasse that had paralyzed governance and posed a threat to public safety. He announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.

In their place, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the State Administrator to oversee governance, with the judiciary expected to continue operating independently.