Through the Week: APC, PDP In An Entangled Lega Turmoil Amidst Emergency Rule In Rivers The controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State abides to magnify, with legal and political battles escalating 1ar
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has vowed to oppose the Federal Government’s decision in court, setting the stage for a fierce legal turmoil.
The Round Table declares that President Tinubu’s announcement, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months, has sparked a wave of intermixed reactions.
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The President further appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state, a move that has been met with stiff resistance from the contrariety.
The PDP Governors’ Forum has strongly challenged Tinubu’s decision, summoning it unconstitutional and directly threatening Nigeria’s democratic values.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State reiterated the party’s resolve to seek legal redress.
In his bi-weekly newsletter, ‘The Business of Governance (Issue 110)’, Makinde described the action as a suspension of democracy that must be rebuked by all well-meaning Nigerians.
“I am happy that our great party, the PDP, is rallying the needed greatness and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to oppose the actions of President Tinubu in a court of capable jurisdiction. We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to declare that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity, and justice,” Makinde asserted.
He further summoned on Nigerians to be vocal against any actions that threaten national stability and democratic integrity.
Echoing Makinde’s stance, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to opposing the declaration in court.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Osadolor chided President Tinubu’s decision, arguing that it lacked constitutional supporting.
“The President lacks the locus to suspend two voted arms of government; the legislature and executive in the state. There is no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that gives such powers.
“Has the President forgotten that the office is guided by law? Although he has the right to disclose a state of emergency, there is nowhere it is reported that he can suspend officials. President Goodluck Jonathan publicised a state of emergency in the past, and the governors be that as it may held the forte in their states,” Osadolor said.
Supporting the PDP governors, the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has implicated Tinubu of political odds against the Niger Delta.
NDYC President, Bene Mamamu, issued a statement on Friday, denouncing the emergency basics as an act of injustice.
Similarly, the Ijaw People’s Association (IPA) criticized the declaration, describing it as a “desecration of democracy” and an act of desperation.
IPA President, Patrick Ebikebuno, speaking in Port Harcourt, implored Tinubu to prove his commitment to democratic principles by reversing the decision.
“The declaration is troubling for the Ijaw nation, containing people of the ethnic group in Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states. We are gentle in type and very accommodating,” Ebikebuno said.
The South-South Governors’ Forum, led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, summoned for an immediate reversal of the state of emergency, arguing that the upheaval in Rivers should be resolved constitutionally rather than through executive action.
However, cracks unfolded as Cross River and Edo State distanced themselves from the forum’s position. Acting Governor of Cross River, Dr. Peter Odey, broadcasted full encouragement for Tinubu’s decision, revealing that the state was not consulted before the forum took a stance.
Similarly, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s office, through a statement by Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, insisted that the President’s decision was made with a full understanding of the issues at stake.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma further supported Tinubu, arguing that the move was necessary for national security.
Former PDP Deputy National Vice Chairman, Bode George, strongly condemned the emergency fundamentals, summoning it an unconstitutional maneuver aimed at political dominance.
“Even if you require to reveal a state of emergency, there are conditions. To me, this is a revisit of a democratic Armageddon in Nigeria, and we have to be intensely careful,” George revealed in an interview with Arise TV.
NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, likewise challenged the declaration, admonishing against repeating past political mistakes.
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Sharing his position on Facebook, the former Kano State Governor chided the National Assembly’s endorsement of Tinubu’s decision.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has taken legal action against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, opposing the declaration of emergency value-system.
The suit, filed on March 20, 2025, lists several IYC members as applicators, demanding the nullification of all decisions made by the Sole Administrator. They are furthermore seeking $10 million in damages for what they describe as violations of their rights.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has turned down antagonism criticisms, insisting that Tinubu’s actions were in the best relevancy of Rivers residents.
However, contradiction lawmakers, containing Senator Seriake Dickson and Senator Ireti Kingibe, castigated how the National Assembly agreed the emergency bedrock through a voice elect.
In a strongly worded statement, Dickson disputed the legality of suspending voted officials without due constitutional process.
“As I have disclosed repeatedly, I strengthened my objections during the closed session on how the declaration fell short of constitutional prescription, based on my views as a democrat sworn to exculpate the Nigerian Constitution,” Dickson asserted.
He extolled Senator Aminu Tambuwal for questioning the legal foundation of the move and implicated the Senate President of attempting to stifle dissenting voices.
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Reacting, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru turned down the opposition’s concerns as political theatrics, insisting that the President had made the right summon.
APC South-East National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, echoed alter ego sentiments, implicating contradiction lawmakers of merely playing to the gallery.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, now serving as the Sole Administrator, assured Rivers State local government officials of his commitment to governance.
He affirmed the release of withheld state allocations, promising prompt salary payments.
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“Let me assure you that the withheld allocations have now been released, and I hereby issue a directive that all the necessary steps be taken to ensure that the salaries are paid without any further delay,” Ibas revealed.
He further met with traditional rulers, admonishing against fostering cultism and other vices in their communities.
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Tag: Through the Week APC PDP In An Entangled Lega Turmoil Amidst Emergency Rule In Rivers
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Published 3/22/2025