A legal showdown is brewing as governors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have directed their state Attorneys-General to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
At the heart of the dispute is Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which the governors argue requires judicial interpretation, Persecondnews reports.
The PDP governors are contesting the president’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
They have condemned the move, stating that it undermines democratic governance and the rule of law and have pledged their support for Fubara and the people of Rivers State.
The governors described the current situation as a “difficult and trying moment” in the state’s political history.
Persecondnews recalls that the declaration of emergency rule has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the federal government of undermining democracy.
Leading the fray is the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which also condemned the move, stating that suspending elected officials will not bring peace to Rivers State.
After their Zoom meeting on Wednesday, the PDP governors issued a communiqué, signed by Forum’s Chairman and Bauchi Gov. Bala Mohammed, which was made available to journalists on Saturday, expressing their solidarity with Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State during this challenging time.
Persecondnews had reported that Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for nearly two years, fueled by a power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Fubara, culminating in a political impasse.
In response to the brewing crisis, Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
He equally named retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, whom he swore in on March 19 as the State’s sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored.
Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP governors said: “The Forum employed the occasion to review the unfortunate proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, March 18, 2025; and frowned at 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 Forum reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria, therefore we have resolved to instruct our Attorneys General in the PDP-controlled States to challenge Section 305 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended and subject it to judicial interpretation.
“The Forum stands in solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history.”
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