Prominent leaders, legal experts, activists, and stakeholders from Nigeria’s South-South region have called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately lift the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State and reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers who were unconstitutionally removed from office on March 18.
Speaking to Saturday Vanguard, the stakeholders criticized the President’s decision, calling it a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a dangerous precedent for democracy. Despite a public reconciliation between Fubara and his estranged political benefactor, Minister Nyesom Wike, stakeholders say Tinubu’s continued silence signals complicity and raises questions about the motive behind the imposed emergency rule.
“Time to Lift the Emergency is Now” — Elder Ambakederimo
Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, convener of the South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), described the ongoing suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State as unjustified.
“The time is now for the emergency rule to be lifted. The state is calm, and the reasons given for the suspension no longer exist. Rivers is peaceful, and even Wike and Fubara have declared a truce. So why wait until September?” he asked.
He warned against forcing Fubara to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasizing the need for political independence.
“President Tinubu’s Action is Flawed” — Prof. Benjamin Okaba
Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), outrightly condemned Tinubu’s intervention as a constitutional breach.
“We frowned at it from the beginning and will continue to do so. This is not just about political godfatherism; it is a clear violation of democratic norms,” he stated.
“It’s a Breach, Not a Family Feud” — Eric Omare
Former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Eric Omare, stressed that the matter goes beyond a personal dispute between Wike and Fubara.
“The real issue here is the unconstitutionality of the president’s actions. Whether or not Tinubu chooses to reinstate Fubara, the fact remains that democracy was subverted. The Supreme Court has also failed Nigerians by ignoring the urgency of the matter,” Omare noted.
“What is Tinubu Waiting For?” — Alaowei Cleric Esq.
Human rights lawyer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), Alaowei Cleric, expressed shock at the president’s continued inaction.
“The emergency rule is illegal. Tinubu’s justification of insecurity no longer holds water. Every additional day it remains in effect only deepens the democratic crisis. This is executive rascality at its peak,” he declared.
“Stop the Rascality Now” — Activist Adima Warns
Delta-based political activist, Blessing Adima, echoed similar concerns, urging the president to redeem his image by restoring democratic order in Rivers.
“This so-called suspension is alien to the constitution. After the public reconciliation, there is no reason why Fubara shouldn’t be back in office. The president risks losing public trust in Rivers State if he continues down this path,” she warned.
She also criticized the National Assembly’s role in passing the state’s 2025 budget, bypassing the Rivers State House of Assembly, calling it “an affront to state autonomy.”
As calls grow louder, all eyes are now on President Tinubu to either uphold democratic principles or risk further alienating not just Rivers State but the entire South-South region. Stakeholders insist that any further delay in restoring Governor Fubara could plunge Nigeria deeper into constitutional crisis.
