The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu over his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it as unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive.
Led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the forum released a statement on Wednesday, voicing concerns that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has assumed unchecked authority.
The governors condemned the President’s silence on Wike’s role in the ongoing crisis, describing it as both passive and enabling.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for nearly two years, with a fierce power struggle between former Governor Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The prolonged conflict has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state.
In response to the escalating tensions, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers during a nationwide address on Tuesday evening.
As part of the measure, he suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. To oversee the state’s affairs, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as administrator.
Within hours of the announcement, military forces took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the development, the PDP governors issued a firm call for Tinubu to rescind what they described as a harmful and regressive decision.
“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,” the forum stated.
Expressing solidarity with Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers, they criticized Tinubu for ignoring the FCT minister’s involvement in the crisis.
“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 unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive.”
The forum further described the move as a direct attack on democracy and a threat to national stability.
“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.”
Citing the Nigerian Bar Association’s reaction to the situation, the PDP governors reiterated concerns over the legality of Tinubu’s actions.
“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 members 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 aligned itself with the NBA’s stance, emphasizing that Section 305 (3) of the Constitution must be subjected to judicial interpretation.
“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.”
Concluding their statement, the governors urged Tinubu to reconsider his decision.
“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.”
