The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a grave assault on democracy and an unforgivable betrayal of the Niger Delta people.
It advised Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency if he wants peace in the oil-rich state.
Similarly, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) faulted the development, saying it was part of the plans of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties before 2027.
Meanwhile, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Idowu Olayinka, advised said successors in executive public offices to manage the delicate balance between them and the persons, who paved the way for them to assume power.
However, former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, called for a swift and peaceful resolution to the political crisis in Rivers, warning that the people stand to gain nothing from the power tussle between the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
At an emergency meeting in Abuja on March 19, 2025, PANDEF leaders denounced the unilateral removal of Governor Fubara, his deputy and the state legislature, describing it as a political ambush in the guise of a security measure.
In a strongly-worded communiqué, PANDEF accused the Presidency of orchestrating the crisis to impose federal control over Rivers.
“This is not about security; it is a premeditated power grab,” the statement reads. “If pipeline explosions are now grounds for emergency rule, why hasn’t the President declared one in states ravaged by banditry and insurgency?”
The forum noted that less than a week ago, Tinubu had assured a South-South delegation of his commitment to dialogue, but then proceeded to sideline constitutional processes in favour of brute executive action.
PANDEF also accused Wike of undermining reconciliation efforts and disrespecting Niger Delta elders.
“It is no coincidence that the Rivers’ crisis escalated after Wike’s inflammatory remarks against PANDEF leaders,” the group said. “His role in this unconstitutional takeover cannot be ignored.”
The forum urged the National Assembly to reject the emergency proclamation, warning that allowing this precedent could endanger democratic governance nationwide. “Today it is Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be any state where the President wants to remove an elected governor. Nigerians must resist this abuse of power.”
PANDEF is considering challenging the declaration in court, as it has laid out plans to engage regional and global bodies on the growing threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“This is not just about River; it is about the soul of our democracy. The President must reverse this injustice, or history will judge him harshly.”
EXECUTIVE Director, CHRICED, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, in a statement, yesterday, described the suspension of the Rivers executive and legislature as an unconstitutional power grab aimed at consolidating APC’s control in opposition strongholds before the next election cycle.
According to Zikirullahi, the APC-led Federal Government has consistently interfered in opposition-controlled states as part of a long-term electoral strategy.
He warned that Rivers was only the latest target in a pattern of political destabilisation designed to undermine the opposition’s chances in 2027.
Pointing to the ongoing crisis in Kano State, where it accused federal agencies of backing the reinstatement of ousted Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to weaken the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-led administration, Zikirullahi said: “CHRICED emphasises that the situation in Rivers is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend of political interference in states governed by opposition parties.”
The group also accused the President of using federal power to protect his political allies while punishing elected opposition leaders.
It also accused Wike of orchestrating instability to retain political influence.
While demanding an immediate reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers, it called for Wike’s removal as minister.
OLAYINKA made the call while reacting to the irreconcilable differences between Wike and Fubara.
He said: “Irreconcilable differences between leaders are to be avoided before they mutate into major crises, which might consume the gladiators and their long-term interests, whether at institutional or national levels,” pointing Wike and Fubara as the main culprits in the development.
IN a statement released by his media office in Abuja, the former presidential hopeful expressed deep concern over the decision by Tinubu to declare emergency in Rivers, which saw Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator for six months.
He described the development as troubling, noting that political disagreements in Nigeria’s past were often driven by ideological differences and national interests rather than personal rivalries and ego battles.
Calling on Tinubu to exercise greater statesmanship and wisdom in resolving political conflicts to safeguard national stability, he added: “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation with complex fault lines and competing loyalties. Extreme measures like a state of emergency should be applied with caution and fairness to avoid further political and social instability,” he added.
He, however, welcomed the position taken by the House of Representatives regarding the supervision of the Rivers sole administrator.
The House rejected the proposal for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to oversee the administrator’s actions, asserting that the National Assembly should have supervisory authority to ensure constitutional balance and accountability.
