Dons EzePDP REJECTS EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS, INSISTS TINUBU HAS NO POWERS TO SUSPEND GOV FUBARA
PDP REJECTS EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS, INSISTS TINUBU HAS NO POWERS TO SUSPEND GOV FUBARA The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State The PDP said it outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State. According to the party, the unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State was a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution. “The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State. “Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent. ‘The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”. Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation. For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged. The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State. Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.
PDP REJECTS EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS, INSISTS TINUBU HAS NO POWERS TO SUSPEND GOV FUBARA
PDP REJECTS EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS, INSISTS TINUBU HAS NO POWERS TO SUSPEND GOV FUBARA The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State The PDP said it outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State. According to the party, the unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State was a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution. “The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State. “Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent. ‘The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”. Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation. For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged. The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State. Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.
FUBARA’S REMOVAL UNCONSTITUTIONAL – NBA
FUBARA’S REMOVAL UNCONSTITUTIONAL – NBA The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) said the President does not have the constitutional power to remove an elected governor under a state of emergency. “Any such action is an unconstitutional encroachment on democratic governance and the autonomy of state governments,” he said. NBA therefore urged the National Assembly to reject any unconstitutional attempt to ratify the removal of the Rivers State Governor and other elected officials. “The approval of a state of emergency must be based on strict constitutional grounds, not political expediency.” NBA warned that suspending elected officials under emergency rule sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and could be misused to unseat elected governments in the future. The association also demanded that all actions taken in Rivers State strictly conform to constitutional provisions and Nigeria’s democratic norms while encouraging all stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and the international community, to closely monitor the situation in Rivers to prevent unconstitutional governance and abuse of power.
FLASH BACK: TINUBU TO GEJ: EMERGENCY RULE: DON’T TAMPER WITH GOVERNORS’ MANDATES (MAY 2013)
TINUBU TO GEJ: EMERGENCY RULE – DON’T TINKER WITH GOVERNORS MANDATES (MAY 2013) President Jonathan had declared a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe & Adamawa States due to rising insecurity caused by the Boko Haram menace. Unlike Obasanjo, GEJ chose to leave elected representatives in office Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the declaration of a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States by President Goodluck Jonathan, as “a dangerous trend in the art of governance.” He said that by the decision, President Jonathan has finally bared his fangs confirming what was widely speculated. According to him, “The body language of the Jonathan administration leads any keen watcher of events with unmistakable conclusion of the existence of a surreptitious but barely disguised intention to muzzle the elected governments of these states for what is clearly a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic partisanship geared towards 2015. Borno and Yobe states have been literally under armies of occupation with the attendant excruciating hardship experienced daily by the indigenes and residents of these areas. This government now wants to use the excuse of the security challenges faced by the Governors to remove them from the states considered hostile to the 2015 PDP/Jonathan project. Tinubu warned that the administration will be setting in motion a chain of events, the end of which, nobody can predict, as experience has shown that actions, such as this one under consideration, often give root to radical ideologies and extremist tendencies, a direct opposite of the intended outcome of unwarranted and unintelligent meddlesomeness. “The present scenario playing out in the country reminds one of the classical cases of a mediocre craftsman who continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting,” he said. Commenting further, “It has become crystal clear, even to the most incurable optimist, that the country is adrift. That the ship of the Nigerian state is rudderless is clearly evident in the consistent and continual attacks ferociously executed by elements often referred to as the insurgents in some northern states of the federation, particularly Borno and Yobe states respectively. Indeed, no part of the country is immune from the virulent but easy attacks, veritable indices of a failing state. No Governor of a state in Nigeria is indeed the Chief Security Officer. Putting the blame on the Governors, who have been effectively emasculated, for the abysmal performance of the government at the centre which controls all these security agencies, smacks of ignorance and mischief.” “This Government, through acts of omission and commission, has fallen far short of expectation. It actively encourages schisms and all manner of divisive tendencies for parochial expediency. Ethnicity and religion become handy weapons of domination. Things have never been this bad.” The former governor of Lagos State noted that the response to the pervasive chaos in the Northern region of the country has been militarisation, mass arrests and extra judicial killings by the Joint Task Force, JTF. He said it is evident from the grim experiences in recent times that the Jonathan government has failed, or does not know that it is necessary for it to avail itself of the benefits accruable from exchange of ideas and notes on the latest in terms of technology and human resources among nations of the modern world. Tinubu opined that the massacres of local communities by unknown elements will further alienate the people who should, ordinarily, partner with the government in securing their immediate environments. “An army which invades a community maiming, raping and killing defenceless civilians will end up radicalising the youths whose parents and young ones have been wiped out most…
EMERGENCY RULE: WHEREABOUTS OF FUBARA UNKNOWN AS MILITARY MOVES TRUCKS INTO GOVERNMENT HOUSE
EMERGENCY RULE: WHEREABOUTS OF FUBARA UNKNOWN AS MILITARY MOVES TRUCKS INTO GOVERNMENT HOUSE The whereabouts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was unknown on Tuesday night when the military moved trucks into Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt. The trucks were placed within and outside the Government House on the first night of the State of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu declared emergency rule amid the attacks on oil installations in Rivers State. Some militants groups had threatened to blow up pipelines if the Rivers House of Assembly impeached Fubara. However, hours after the lawmakers served the governor with notice of alleged misconduct, the militants carried out their threat. Responding, the president suspended Fubara and the lawmakers for six months, appointing an administrator for the state. After the declaration, about 10 military trucks patroled the road leading to the Government House main gate while armoured vehicles were seen at strategic positions within the road leading to the Government House gate. The road leading to Government House from the popular UTC junction was deserted as residents made efforts to get back to their respective houses. A resident of Port Harcourt who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that military trucks were found all over the area. “The road leading to Government House from the Issac Boro park to the popular UTC is deserted. Residents are making efforts to get back to their respective homes as nobody wants to be caught in a cross fire. I saw about 10 military trucks parading the road leading to Government House. There are other armoured tanks that have been stationed at both entrance road leading to Government House,” the sources said. Our reporter could not confirm if Fubara had vacated Government House as of press time but sources from Government House informed our reporter that the governor might have a premonition of the State of emergency. The source said the governor held several meetings with members of the suspended state Executive council throughout the day. A former Commissioner who spoke with our reporter briefly on phone said he could not speak at length because was having a meeting with the governor, promising to call back later, but he never did as of press time.
TINUBU DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS, SUSPENDS FUBARA FOR SIX MONTHS
TINUBU DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS, SUSPENDS FUBARA FOR SIX MONTHS President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. Tinubu made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast to the nation. The president said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building. Tinubu said having made an evaluation of the situation, he has decided to “declare a state of emergency from March 18”. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months. Tinubu also suspended all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state. “For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate. “The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state,” Tinubu said. This decision comes hours after Tinubu met with his service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. The meeting which began around 3pm, also had Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in attendance. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, also arrived at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.
I’M SORRY, NYSC MEMBER WHO CRITICISED TINUBU BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS
‘I’M SORRY, NYSC MEMBER WHO CRITICISED TINUBU BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS A Lagos-based NYSC member, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, who recently went viral for criticizing the government, has apologized for her remarks about Lagos. In an Instagram post on Monday, she acknowledged that her words may have offended Lagos residents and clarified that she never intended to insult them. “I want to first of all state that I am sorry to the people who were born and raised in Lagos State if you feel offended by what I said. I am sorry,” she wrote. She explained that her comments were part of a 30-day rant challenge aimed at highlighting Nigeria’s economic struggles. “But as a visitor here, I could tell there was a difference in the atmosphere and quality of air here. If the way that I put it triggered your emotions and the love for your birth state, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on your birth state,” she added. Raye noted that she initially planned to post 20 videos addressing societal concerns, hoping to spark discussions by the 20th day. However, her first video gained traction almost immediately, resonating with many Nigerians who shared her frustrations. She also lamented the financial struggles young Nigerians face, emphasizing that despite working over 45 hours a week, she and many others still struggle to afford basic leisure activities.
WIKE VS FUBARA: HOW WILL RIVERS’ CIVIL SERVANTS COPE?
WIKE VS FUBARA: HOW WILL RIVERS’ CIVIL SERVANTS COPE? It is often said that when two Elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Wike and Fubara are the two Elephants, while Rivers workers are the grasses. Unfortunately, the innocent workers are the ones being caught up in the crossfire, they are suffering more from the ongoing fight and battle for supremacy between Wike and Fubara. Now that the federal subvention has been seized, how will workers be paid?Can the state be sustained only by the internally generated revenue? Did the judgement also deny Fubara access to the monies generated from the state IGR?
WIKE REVOKES PDP HEADQUARTERS LAND APPROVAL
‘BREAKING: WIKE REVOKES PDP HEADQUARTERS LAND APPROVAL The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land approval for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Headquarters in Abuja. The land contains a building intended to serve as the party’s new secretariat, though construction is still incomplete. The revocation was communicated through a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagun. According to the letter, the decision was based on the party’s failure to pay annual ground rents on the property for 20 years, from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. The FCT Administration had previously issued multiple public notices in national newspapers and electronic media since 2023, urging all landowners in the capital city to clear their outstanding payments. The letter further stated that PDP’s non-compliance violated Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, leading to the forfeiture of their rights over the property. It added that as a result, the land, located at Plot No. 243, Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja, has now been reclaimed by the FCT Administration, which will take immediate possession of the property.
RIVERS ASSEMBLY LAWMAKERS RIGID, UNCOMPROMISING – STATE GOVT
RIVERS ASSEMBLY LAWMAKERS RIGID, UNCOMPROMISING – STATE GOVT The Rivers State government has expressed deep concerns over the impending bleak future of the state due to the uncooperative disposition of the House of Assembly, which seems determined to impeach Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Making the state’s position known on Monday during a press conference, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, criticised the legislators’ rigid stance against compromise and their refusal to work towards moving the state forward. Johnson’s statement comes in the wake of the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. Johnson emphasised that the Governor’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court judgement, along with the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, have been frustrated by the House of Assembly. He cited their refusal to receive Governor Fubara’s letter and the inaccessibility of the Assembly Quarters, which have served as an alternative plenary venue for the Amaewhule-led assembly since the crisis commenced in late 2023. He lamented the bleak future facing the people of Rivers State, blaming the actions of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly for impeding the Governor’s readiness to comply with the Supreme Court judgement. The Commissioner stated: “It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions, refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to fully implement the judgement of the Supreme Court on the long-drawn political and legal battle that has lingered since the ill-fated attempt to impeach him on 30th October 2023.” He further stated that, since the start of this unjustified onslaught, Governor Fubara has demonstrated unwavering commitment to peace and a determination to prioritise the welfare of the people of Rivers State above personal or sectional interests. Johnson added: “In his statewide broadcast a few days after the judgement, Governor Fubara declared his acceptance of the judgement and made an unambiguous commitment to full compliance and implementation. “In that broadcast, he ordered the recently duly elected LGA Chairmen ousted by the Apex Court to immediately hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs), even as he appealed to his supporters, who were saddened by the judgement, to accept it with equanimity. “The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), under the leadership of its indefatigable Chairman and Chief Electoral Officer, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd.), in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict, convened a stakeholders’ meeting wherein all registered political parties in the state, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), the press, and the general public were invited to attend at their headquarters in Port Harcourt. “At that stakeholders’ meeting, the electoral umpire set the ball rolling for the conduct of fresh LGA elections by releasing the elections timetable and guidelines, fixing 9th August 2025 for the exercise. “This is in full compliance with the Supreme Court judgement ordering a fresh election into the third tier of government.” The Commissioner further noted the several steps the Governor had taken to implement the orders of the apex court, expressing concerns over the House of Assembly’s failure to cooperate in achieving the desired peace. He stated that, on Friday, 14th March 2025, Governor Fubara, in keeping with his resolve to do the needful, sent another letter personally signed by him to the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule. The letter notified him and members of the RSHA under his leadership of the Governor’s plan to re-present the 2025 budget to them on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, or any other day convenient to the House, in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict, to ensure the continued functioning of the state government. “Regrettably, the staff of the Assembly refused to…