Rivers Elders Reject State of Emergency, Demand Wike’s Suspension Over Political Crisis

Rivers Elders, the Rivers Leaders Forum, and several civil society organisations have strongly criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and unjustified. Speaking at separate press briefings in Port Harcourt, the groups condemned what they described as an undemocratic and misinformed intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the portrayal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as non-compliant in conflict resolution was misleading.

Led by former Governor Rufus Ada-George, the elders expressed shock over the March 18 declaration, stating that the reasons given did not meet the constitutional threshold outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution. They also criticised the President’s claim that there was no functioning government in the state, pointing out that Governor Fubara had been actively engaged in governance and in ongoing communications with the State Assembly over the 2025 budget.

The forum decried what it called selective justice, highlighting that while Governor Fubara and others faced disciplinary actions, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who they said had made several inflammatory statements, was not held accountable. They accused the President of overlooking Wike’s role in the political unrest gripping the state.

Concerned Civil Society Organisations in Rivers also weighed in, accusing the President of acting in bad faith and siding with Wike to undermine Governor Fubara through the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. They praised the people of Rivers State for remaining peaceful in the face of provocation and pledged to pursue legal action over the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and others involved.

The coalition called for immediate accountability and urged the federal government to reconsider its actions in the interest of democracy and justice.