The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has berated President Bola Tinubu, describing his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive.
The forum led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing concern that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has become a law unto himself.
The forum criticised Tinubu’s silence regarding the minister’s active involvement in the state crisis, describing it as both passive and enabling.
For nearly two years, Rivers State has experienced political tensions, with former Governor Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, in a struggle for control, causing a stall in governance in the oil-rich state.
Emphasizing the need to restore order, Tinubu announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the new administrator of Rivers State to manage the state’s affairs.
Within hours of the announcement, soldiers seized control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
Reacting, the PDP governors urged the President to reverse what they called harmful and regressive decision before it’s too late.
The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.
“We stand in solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history. There is no other time that our philosophy of touch one touch all more apt than now.
“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive.
“We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.
“It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard-won democracy, but will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and our national cohesion and stability.”
The forum called on Tinubu to heed wise advice and the voice of reason, acknowledging that he made serious mistakes and acted impulsively.
It continued, “The Nigerian Bar Association in its response signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has already expressed grave concern about the purported suspension by the President of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and the Mlmembers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The NBA affirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. In their words, ‘A state of emergency is an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits. The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable.’
“The Forum completely aligns itself with the NBA and promises to subject Section 305 (3) of the Constitution to judicial interpretation. This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand.
“Mr. President is therefore called upon to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason, as well as accept that he made grievous mistakes and acted in haste, and reverse this atrocious and retrograde decision before it is too late.”
