PANDEF Rejects Emergency Rule in Rivers, Accuses Tinubu of Betrayal

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a betrayal of the Niger Delta people and an attack on democratic values.

Following an emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the group issued a communiqué describing the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly as unconstitutional and politically driven. PANDEF accused the federal government of escalating the political crisis in the state, rather than encouraging peace, despite earlier promises to support reconciliation efforts.

The group expressed dismay that the emergency rule was declared just days after President Tinubu met with a delegation of South-South leaders—including traditional rulers and former governors—at the State House. According to PANDEF, Tinubu had assured the delegation of his support for their peace initiatives, making the sudden declaration even more shocking.

PANDEF also criticized Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly aggravating the crisis and undermining peace efforts in Rivers. They noted that Wike had openly insulted PANDEF and its leadership shortly after the delegation’s visit, without any response or condemnation from the presidency.

The forum questioned the justification for imposing emergency rule in Rivers while similar or worse security challenges persist in other parts of the country, particularly in the northern states, without such measures being taken. PANDEF highlighted that Governor Fubara had already begun complying with a Supreme Court ruling on the 2025 budget prior to the emergency being declared, making the move unnecessary and politically suspicious.

Referencing Tinubu’s past criticisms of emergency declarations under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, PANDEF argued that this action contradicts the president’s earlier stance against using emergency powers to remove elected officials.

Despite their condemnation, PANDEF reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing peace and working with all stakeholders, including the federal government, to restore stability in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.

The communiqué was signed by respected Niger Delta leaders including Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah, Godknows Igali, and Obiuwevbi Ominimini.