Nigeria Governors Forum mum over Rivers emergency rule

As Nigerians continue reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has said it cannot take a position on the issue.

The group said it has a role for promoting unified policies and collaborating for sustainable socioeconomic growth.

NGF’s Director General Abdulateef Shittu said in a statement on Saturday that taking positions on divisive partisan issues, regardless of how it is phrased, reflects a poor understanding of history.

Persecondnews had reported that President Tinubu, in a bid to put an end to the power tussle between the State’s former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18.

The prolonged power struggle led to nearly two years of political instability in the state, culminating in a legislature-Executive deadlock.

Apart from declaring a state of emergency, the President also suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator; he arrived in Rivers State on March 20, and was sworn in by President Tinubu on March 19.

Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.

Responding, the NGF urged the public and media to be understanding, expressing confidence that the right platforms and crisis management measures would address any such issues.

It said: “The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for sub-national governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people.

“As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.

“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history, just a few years after the Forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.

“Regardless, the Forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.”