PDP, Lawyers Intensify Opposition to APC’s Emergency Rule Call in Rivers State

The political crisis in Rivers State has escalated, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and legal experts opposing the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s demand for a state of emergency and interim administration. The turmoil began when local government chairmen refused to leave office after their terms expired, resulting in violent protests.

On Wednesday, APC’s caretaker committee chairman in Rivers, Tony Okocha, called for emergency rule, blaming Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the unrest. He stated that the only solution for peace in the state was for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency.

“We are at war in Rivers State,” Okocha said. “Because the governor is unteachable, APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency so that we can have peace.”

Historically, Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have approached emergency rule differently. Obasanjo suspended governors in Plateau and Ekiti in 2004 and 2006, respectively, while Jonathan retained state functionaries during the 2013 emergency declarations in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.

PDP’s Response

The PDP condemned the APC’s call, with Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, advising President Bola Tinubu to resist “self-seeking anti-democratic forces.” Wabara warned that such a move could plunge Rivers into chaos.

Legal Community’s Stand

Lawyers have labeled the APC’s call as subjudicial and an attempt to undermine the rule of law. They argue that the current situation does not warrant a state of emergency, which is typically reserved for extreme circumstances like war or natural disasters.

Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, emphasized the importance of allowing the judicial process to resolve the issues in Rivers. He cautioned against the drastic measure of declaring a state of emergency, noting the wider implications and potential instability it could cause.

Concerns About Political Interference

Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, and Uche Alisigwe, a principal partner at Onunaku Chambers, both highlighted that the situation in Rivers does not justify a state of emergency. They called for respect for democratic processes and the rule of law.

Mr. Ebenezer Apata and Hannibal Uwaifo, President of the African Bar Association, echoed these sentiments. Apata pointed out that the situation could still be managed by the governor, while Uwaifo stressed that President Tinubu lacks the authority to remove a democratically elected governor.