President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declare a state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked a flurry of reactions with the Federal Government saying it was necessary to prevent an implosion in the state.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the declaration was timely and aimed at averting a breakdown in governance.
This development comes amid a protracted political crisis in Rivers State, marked by intense power struggles between Gov. Fubara and key stakeholders, including his estranged godfather and former Gov. Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The situation has raised concerns about federal overreach and the balance of power in Nigeria’s federal system.
Fagbemi said: “We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he (President Tinubu) should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so.
“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given the opportunity to all the parties involved to make amends. Before then, he had to assemble them, and he had tried to mediate.”
Persecondnews reported that President Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a major oil-producing state in Nigeria’s South-South region, on Tuesday, March 18.
He also imposed a six-month suspension on Fubara, his deputy, and the state lawmakers, as part of measures to restore stability in the state.
He declared: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, appointed by Tinubu, has taken over as the administrator of the state.
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