…Accuses suspended governor of mobilizing militants for potential attacks
By Eshioromeh Sebastian, Abuja
The Presidency on Sunday justified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, following months of political unrest that pushed the state to the edge of chaos.
The Presidency also stated that the decision thwarted Fubara’s alleged plan to deploy militants for attacks on major oil facility in the state, leaving the President with no option but to intervene.
This came on the heels of strong criticism from former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who have both denounced the president’s actions as unconstitutional.
Jonathan, speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, expressed his disappointment over the removal of elected officials. “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government portray the country in a negative light,” he stated.
Similarly, Prof. Wole Soyinka has voiced his disapproval of the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, arguing that the declaration of a state of emergency contradicts the principles of federalism. In an interview with an international news outlet, the Nobel laureate emphasized that the 1999 Constitution grants excessive powers to the president and called for a national dialogue to address this issue.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that the political standoff between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly had escalated to a critical level, threatening the stability of the state.
“The governor’s inability to address the escalating conflict and his refusal to cooperate with the legislature left Rivers State in a state of dysfunction,” the statement read.
It further accused Fubara of adopting despotic tactics, likening his actions to those of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose similar approach had previously destabilized governance in his state.
“Fubara learned from the bad book of former Governor Obaseki, emasculating an arm of government entirely,” the statement added.
The crisis, which began six months into Fubara’s administration, saw the governor locked in a bitter feud with lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The situation deteriorated rapidly, with impeachment threats against Fubara sparking fears of violent reprisals from his supporters.
According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that militants in the Niger Delta, allegedly instructed by Fubara to await signals, were preparing to sabotage critical oil infrastructure.
“Intelligence confirmed militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect,” the Presidency stated. Such actions threatened to plunge Nigeria’s oil production to pre-2023 levels, with devastating consequences for the national economy.
The Presidency explained that President Tinubu’s decision was rooted in his constitutional duty to protect the nation’s stability.
“A responsible leader like President Tinubu, who swore an oath to protect the constitution and corporate existence of the country, cannot fail to act when a constituent part of the Federation is careering towards the precipice,” the statement read.
It also referenced Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which empowers the president to declare a state of emergency in cases of breakdown of law and order, as well as historical precedents in Plateau and Borno States.
Critics of the state of emergency have accused President Tinubu of undermining democracy, but the Presidency dismissed these claims as unfounded. “The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring—not replacing—democratic institutions,” the statement clarified. It also criticized those who remained silent on Fubara’s refusal to collaborate with the legislature, accusing them of partisan bias. “Democracy cannot thrive amid lawlessness—anarchy is its antithesis,” the statement asserted.
Since the declaration of the state of emergency, political tensions in Rivers State have eased significantly. Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.), the newly appointed administrator, has begun engaging with traditional leaders and stakeholders to chart a path forward. “The appointed administrator has already convened a meeting with traditional leaders in the State as one of his first steps to forge lasting solutions,” the Presidency noted.
The Presidency reiterated that the state of emergency was not intended to undermine democracy but to restore it.
“This intervention ensures Rivers’ people retain their democratic rights while shielding the Nigerian and Rivers State economies from collapse,” the statement read. It also affirmed that President Tinubu acted within the law and his executive powers under the constitution.
President Tinubu and the National Assembly remain committed to lifting the emergency once stability is restored and elected officials can resume their duties. “President Tinubu and the National Assembly remain committed to lifting the emergency once stability returns and also ensuring elected officials resume their duties,” the statement affirmed.
The Presidency praised Tinubu’s decisive action, describing it as a necessary step to avert a deeper crisis. “President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritized Nigeria’s interest over political expediency, averting a more profound crisis,” the statement read. As Rivers State begins to recover from the brink of chaos, the Presidency has called for commendation rather than condemnation of Tinubu’s statesmanship.
“Rivers and Nigeria are safer for it,” the statement concluded. “To those who brand him a democrat turned ‘tyrant,’ my response to them is simple: Which democracy prospers in chaos? Rivers’ newfound calm vindicates President Tinubu’s resolve.”
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