Emergency Rule: AGF Blames Fubara, Defends Tinubu, Wike
…Labour Demands Immediate Reversal
…This illegality cannot stand, Amaechi tells Tinubu
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, on Wednesday, fingered the suspended Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara for being responsible for the political crisis in the oil-rich state.
At a media chat with State House correspondent in Abuja, the AGF said President Bola Tinubu acted timely with his proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State, the suspension of the governor, and the appointment of a sole administration, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd).
Fagbemi said Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly Complex to avoid being impeached and refused to rebuild it more than one year later.
The justice minister said Fubara failed to implement the February 28, 2025 ruling of the Supreme Court and did not caution militants who had threatened to blow pipelines in the state. “There was not a word dissuading the militant who issued the threats,” he said.
He said the situation could not have been allowed to continue as the critical economic lifeline of the nation was criminally touched.
Fagbemi also said the emergency rule declaration was some sort of saving grace for Fubara who had been served impeachment notice by pro-Wike lawmakers.
“If that impeachment had been allowed to take its full course, the governor would have entirely lost and completely.
“So, in a way, instead of allowing the impeachment to continue, and which in the end would have seen both the governor and the deputy governor out of office for the entirety of their four-year term with the remainder of what they have — a balance of two years and two months,” the AGF said.
Exonerates Wike
Fagbemi said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, did not feature in the matter that was decided by the Supreme Court and should not be sentimentally brought into it.
Wike, the immediate-past governor of Rivers State, has been locked in a protracted power tussle with Fubara, his estranged former political godson, for about two years. The apex court recently backed the pro-Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
Fagbemi said Wike should not be brought into the matter as he was not responsible for the actions of Fubara who failed to act in line with the constitutional requirements of getting the approval of the state legislators in the affairs of the state.
He said, “There are occasions when it comes to national issues, we have to come out plainly and sincerely. Where do you put the Minister of the FCT in this case? Was he the one who asked for the demolition of the House of Assembly?
“Was he the one who said the governor should not present the budget to the House of Assembly? Was he the one who advised the governor not to go through the House of Assembly for purposes of ratifying the commissioner-nominees?
“I don’t know because if you want to look at a case, you look at the facts that have been presented. The Supreme Court made these critical findings. The FCT minister did not feature.
“Assuming he featured, he would have featured on the side of the legislators but what you have here is let everybody go home for the first six months. So, I don’t see his hands here in what we have.”
Fagbemi advised all those who do not agree with the president’s move to channel their energy to the National Assembly to veto the president’s decision.
Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu; as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly members.
Tinubu hinged his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he can’t continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking any action.
The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives has been expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike suspended lawmakers, who accused Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state..
Suspension of Fubara, others: This illegality cannot stand, Amaechi tells Tinubu
…Urges NASS, Govs, Nigerians to reject Tinubu’s action
… Describes Tinubu’s action as rape of our democracy
Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Amaechi described the move as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.”
He called on the National Assembly, state governors, and stakeholders to reject what he termed an “illegal power grab.”
Amaechi argued that President Tinubu had overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending elected state officials. Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, he emphasized that a governor can only be removed through a clearly defined impeachment process, not by presidential decree.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold,” Amaechi stated.
He further questioned Tinubu’s use of Section 305, which allows the President to declare a state of emergency, arguing that it does not grant him the power to “dissolve elected arms of government.”
The former Rivers governor accused certain forces of orchestrating a political takeover in the state. He urged governors, lawmakers, and Nigerians across political divides to resist what he described as an “audacious violation of democracy.”
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr. President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand,” he declared.
Amaechi, who previously served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), commended governors who had spoken out against the suspension. He urged others to join in rejecting the move and preventing “Nigeria’s descent into totalitarianism.”
The statement comes amid mixed reactions to Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration in Rivers State. While some argue it was necessary to restore stability, others, like Amaechi, view it as a dangerous precedent that threatens democratic governance..
Organised Labour demands immediate reversal of state of emergency in Rivers
The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, has condemned the declaration of State of Emergency by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and a direct assault on democracy.Nigerian home decor ideas
In a joint statement signed by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC president Comrade Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, the Labour unions criticised the action, stating that it blatantly violates part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermined the principles of democratic governance.
The two labour leaders warned that such actions erode constitutional governance and create instability, adding that no democratic society can thrive when elected officials are removed arbitrarily.
Both NLC and TUC demanded that President Tinubu immediately revoke the state of emergency in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining such measures.
They cautioned that the decision could have far-reaching consequences, including undermining national security, economic stability, and Nigeria’s democratic institutions.Nigerian home decor ideas
Apart from the political implications highlighted by the labour centres, the two congresses also warned that the declaration would have severe socio-economic consequences for workers and businesses in Rivers State.
The statement reads in part.;
“The purported suspension or removal of the governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy.
It sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments. No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President. This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.
We, therefore, call on Mr. President to revoke this unconstitutional declaration in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which clearly outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining a state of emergency.
The President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion.
The labour movement will not remain silent while the livelihoods of workers and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians are threatened by political machinations.Nigerian home decor ideas
Given his storied background in political struggle, we urge Mr. President not to betray his democratic credentials by engaging in actions reminiscent of military-era authoritarianism.”
