.As suspended Assembly members celebrate
.Fear grips residents over troops’ deployment, engage in panic buying
.Bode George, Amaechi, others blast FG, say action brazen attempt to grab power
.President has committed impeachable offence– Reuben Abati
AKOR SYLVESTER, Abuja ,EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt and IBRAHIM QUADRI ,Lagos
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have unequivocally condemned what they described as Mr. President’s hasty and unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the action.
The organised labour said the action blatantly violates the provisions of Part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and constitutes an overreach of executive power.
In a statement jointly signed by NLC president, Joe Ajaero and TUC president, Festus Osifo, the labour bodies said the purported suspension or removal of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy.
According to the statement:”It sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments.
“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President. This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.
“We, therefore, call on Mr. President to revoke this unconstitutional declaration in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which clearly outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining a state of emergency.
“The President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion.
“Any decision that jeopardizes national security, economic stability, and democratic governance must be reconsidered.
“Nigeria has suffered the painful consequences of political overreach in the past, and we cannot afford to repeat such mistakes.
“Beyond the political and legal implications, this unjustified state of emergency will have severe socio-economic repercussions on workers and the masses. It will:
Disrupt economic activities, forcing businesses to shut down or scale back operations;
“Lead to job losses, wage cuts, and economic hardship for thousands of workers in both the formal and informal sectors;
“Create an atmosphere of uncertainty, discouraging investment and slowing economic growth in Rivers State and beyond;
“Expose citizens to security risks, as history has shown that politically motivated states of emergency often escalate rather than resolve crises.
“Accordingly, the Labour movement will not remain silent while the livelihoods of workers and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians are threatened by political machinations.
“Given his storied background in political struggle, we urge Mr. President not to betray his democratic credentials by engaging in actions reminiscent of military-era authoritarianism.
“Leadership demands wisdom, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
“We demand the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional state of emergency in the interest of democracy, economic stability, and the welfare of Nigerian workers. Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency”.
However, Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has reacted to his suspension and declaration of State of Emergency in the state by the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu had, during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, before declaring an emergency rule in the Rivers State, accused Governor Fubara of being culpable in the protracted political crisis in the state, following his feud with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and the Martin Amaehwule-led members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The president accused Fubara of demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex without any justifiable reason, as well as refusing to implement the February 28 Supreme Court judgments on the crisis between the governor and members of the 27 lawmakers led by the Speaker, Martin Amaehwule.
Reacting to the development, Governor Siminalayi Fubara described the development in Rivers State as unfortunate, but appealed to Rivers people to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding.
The Governor in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, reassured the public that Rivers State remained “safe, secured, and peaceful under our watch.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law despite the ongoing political crisis.
He said, “I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history,” he stated.
“Since assuming office as your governor, we have prioritised the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of our dear state.”
Fubara explained that his administration acted in good faith following President Tinubu’s previous intervention, implementing agreed terms, including reinstating commissioners who had resigned.
He also noted that his government promptly complied with a Supreme Court judgment in an effort to restore normalcy.
“Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, making genuine peace and progress challenging,” he lamented.
Continuing, Governor Fubara emphasised that governance had continued in the state despite the crisis, salaries were being paid and projects were progressing.
Recalled that President Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the state suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
Tinubu announced the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state to oversee governance.
“At this critical time, I urge all Rivers people to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We have always been resilient people, and we will face this situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process,” Governor Fubara said.
On his part, Speaker of the suspended Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has hailed President Tinubu over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, stating that the president acted in the best interest of the state.
He blamed Governor Fubara’s actions for the development.
Amaewhule expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas to govern the state during the six-month emergency rule.
The Speaker in a statement he personally signed, accused the Governor of “serially disobeying judgments and orders of courts” and failing to govern the state in line with his oath of office and the Constitution. He described the Governor’s actions as despotic and tyrannical, highlighting that these actions led to the current situation.
He assured that the Assembly would comply with the declaration, even though it was not their preferred outcome, and called on the public to remain calm as the Sole Administrator assumes duty, emphasizing that the Assembly would provide the necessary support in the state’s best interest.
Meanwhile, the South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, has condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu and members of the House of Assembly and the declaration of emergency rule in State.
The group accused President Tinubu of bias in his intervention on the political crisis in the State, especially for suspending the Governor Fubara and leaving out the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike who they alleged is the main reason for the crisis.
National President of the youth body, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, said Tinubu could have used another approach towards resolving the political crisis rocking the state instead of ending democratic rule and appointing a sole administrator for the state.
“As the umbrella body for all the youths in the South-South region, we believe that the President would have taken a different measure in resolving the political crisis in the state other than suspending the democratically elected Executive Arm of the State for six months and appointing a Sole Administrator for the State.
“But, our main worries lies with the very fact that the President did not suspend the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, who is the main reason the political crisis has remained unresolved.
“We believe that the President’s refusal to mention Chief Nyesom Wike in the address of his broadcast and his refusal to suspend him alongside simply shows the president’s bias in handling the crisis in the state. It is in public view that the political war is chiefly between the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
“It also on record that the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly is only playing the script handed them by their master, Wike.”
The youths group also urged Tinubu to suspend Wike for sake of fairness to all parties involved in the crisis while also charging the National Assembly to refuse the emergency declaration in Rivers State.
“Therefore, we call on President Bola Tinubu that in the interest of fairness , equity, Justice fair play to immediately suspend the former governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the FCT Minister. This will clear our doubts that he is fair in his declaration.
“In the same vein, we are calling on the National Assembly to discard this State of Emergency declared in the state. We as a people pray that nothing thwarts democracy in this country, even if it is still wobbling,” he said.
. ..Heavy military presence trigger fear as residents engage in panic buying
Meanwhile, Residents of Port Harcourt rushed to markets on Wednesday to stockpile food and other essential items following the state of emergency declaration in Rivers.
President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers for a six-month period, citing security concerns.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visit to major markets, including Mile 1, Mile 3, and Slaughter in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, revealed a surge in patronage as residents scramble to buy essential goods.
Findings indicated that many people were making large purchases in anticipation of possible restrictions and security concerns due to the emergency rule.
Some residents also attributed the panic buying to the increased deployment of military and police personnel, along with heavy security equipment across the state.
A resident, who simply identified herself as Comfort, described the situation as alarming, noting that some basic household items had suddenly become scarce.
The mother of three said she decided to stock up on food and other supplies due to fear of the unknown.
“I do not know what might happen next, so I came to Mile 1 Market to buy food that will last us for two weeks,” she said.
At Mile 3 market, Mrs Eazy Oluoma recalled her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which taught her a valuable lesson.
She explained that her family suffered from hunger during the lockdown because they had assumed markets and shop would remain open.
“I do not want to take the same risk I took the last time, which is why I am here to buy food items in advance,” she stated.
Dr. Chibuzo, who was in his car while his wife shopped for groceries, expressed concern over the political crises in the state.
He acknowledged that while the state of emergency had somewhat eased tensions, it would have significant economic consequences.
“Since the President’s announcement, food prices and other essentials have gone up,” he observed.
At the Slaughter Market along Trans-Woji Road, a resident, Wodi, lamented that he could not buy enough meat due to the crowd and rising costs.
He called on the authorities to intervene, warning that food inflation could worsen the hardship faced by the residents.
However, Hon Rotimi Amaechi has described Fubara’s suspension as ‘a brazen attempt at power grab’,
He stated this in a statement titled ‘’My Immediate Reaction To The Undemocratic, Unconstitutional Suspension Of Elected State Officials In Rivers State’
According to him, ‘Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.
Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution, clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President. Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.
A democratically-elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President. The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.
The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers. The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months, points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.
At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.
Politicians across the divide should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. Governors and Legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality.
As a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President.
I commend the Governors who have spoken publicly against the unlawful suspension.
The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.
. Declaration of state of emergency disrespectful to constituted authority- Bode George
However, Former national Deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, saying it is total disrespect for constituted authority.
President Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis and governance paralysis.
The President also suspended the Governor, Sim Fubara, his deputy and the members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
Ih his reaction, George said, “This is absolute armageddon. Total disrespect for constituted authority. The Constitution has been viciously violated.
“We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the highest order. What did Fubara do? As the Commander-in-Chief, you gave Wike soldiers and security agents to try to destabilise Rivers State. The governor does not have powers over any security agency. Like a gentleman that he is, he kept his cool. Nobody has told me what the governor did to warrant this dictatorial emergency rule.
“What type of democracy is this in 2025? This is how it started in 1962 and 1983. This is a dress rehearsal of what Tinubu wants to do in 2027. APC wants to get all states through unconstitutional means.
“This state of emergency is absolute balderdash. Did he get the approval of the National Assembly before his broadcast?
“What happened in Rivers before today was the hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.
“Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when the lawmakers were fighting? Why? Why did he invite Diete-Spiff and Niger Delta leaders last week when he knew where he was going? Is Tinubu now becoming a civilian dictator?” He queried.
. President has committed impeachable offence – Reuben Abati
A veteran journalist and former Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that President Bola Tinubu has committed impeachable offence.
Abati argued that a governor cannot be removed from office by the proclamation of the president of Nigeria.
He made the assertion on Wednesday during the Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.
The statement comes after Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast to the nation.
Tinubu claimed that he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.
He said having made an evaluation of the situation, he has decided to “declare a state of emergency from March 18”.
However, Abati said that President Tinubu violated the Constitution even within the purview of Section 305, insisting that he was not properly advised in respect of that Section of the Constitution.
Abati said that President Tinubu also appropriated unto himself the powers to make laws for the Rivers State House of Assembly, noting that it was an impeachable offense.
He also argued that Tinubu had acted as a dictator by saying that the Administrator that he has appointed can make regulations and that laws will be made for the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Federal Executive Council.
Abati said: “Let me first comment from an interpretation of the Constitution which the President himself highlighted. He said he was acting within the purview of Section 305 of the Constitution.
“Section 305 of the Constitution explains the circumstances under which the President shall declare a state of emergency, and the conditions are properly stated, if the country is facing a threat of war or imminent war. Is Nigeria facing the threat of war in Rivers state? That’s one question.
“It also talks about a situation whereby something could happen in any part of the Federation where Nigeria, could find itself in a chaotic situation, the President is required to act.
“Number three, where the governor in that particular state does not immediately respond, you know, to the crisis situation and does not approach the President to act in the national interest.
“So those conditions are properly spelt out. However, that same section 305, says that the President will give a proclamation, which will be gazetted, and then we’ll go to the National Assembly, and the National Assembly, if it’s in session within, I think, 48 hours would act. If it’s in recess within 10 days will act.
“If the National Assembly does not consider that particular proclamation gazetted valid, then it will vote otherwise, two thirds majority of the two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. And if that happens, the decision is abated.
“Let me now say that section 305 which the president quoted is the operative principle. Now let’s look at what the President said. I think that the President has violated the Constitution even within the purview of Section 305 and he has violated the Constitution because he did not, he was not properly advised to respect that Section of the Constitution.
“In what regard did he violate that Section of the Constitution? In fact, he acted as a dictator by saying that the administrator that he has appointed can make regulations and laws will be made for the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Federal Executive Council.
“The Federal Executive Council does not have such powers. Section 11 of the same constitution says that, look, when there is a state of emergency, it’s only the National Assembly that can make laws for a state House of Assembly.
“Now, President Tinubu has appropriated unto himself the powers to make laws for the Rivers State House of Assembly. That’s an impeachable offense.
“I don’t know whether the National Assembly will have the courage either to reject his gazetted proclamation or to proceed on an issue of impeachment against him for violating the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Now the other relevant portion of the Constitution is Section 188 of the Constitution which spells out how a governor can be removed from office.
“A governor cannot be removed from office by the proclamation of the president of Nigeria, it can only be really removed if there is gross misconduct, as you know, put as an allegation by the House of Assembly, and then the CJ is advised to form a panel of reasonable people, you know, people of distinguished qualities in the state.
“And if that panel now decides, within the purview of Section 180 that those allegations are wrong, that puts an end to that process. The President has not followed that.
“He has acted unilaterally. Section one, sub Section two of the same constitution says that this country, called Nigeria, cannot be governed except by the provisions of the Constitution.
“There is no provision in the 1999 Constitution that says that the president of Nigeria can unilaterally remove a governor, remove the deputy governor, remove the legislature in Nigeria.
“So, that, again, proves that this is a violation of the Constitution. The people who advised the president must be called to order.”
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