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Rivers emergency rule: APC, opposition continue battle as PDP govs head for court
the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has said it will take legal action against the Federal Government.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; as well as members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
The President then appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of the state.
The PDP governors contended that the President’s actions were unconstitutional and threatened Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Seeking legal intervention, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
Makinde, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The governor said, “I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.
The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
Seeking legal intervention, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
Makinde, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The governor said, “I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”
Makinde urged Nigerians to speak out whenever anything threatened the nation’s progress.
Showing support for the governors’ forum, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, said the state of emergency would be challenged in court.
Speaking on Saturday, Osadolor noted that President Tinubu was unmindful of the implications of his pronouncement.
The youth leader added that the court remained the last hope of the common man.
Osadolor said, “The President lacks the locus to suspend two elected arms of government; the legislature and executive in the state.
There is no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that gives such powers.
“Has the President forgotten that the office is guided by law? Although he has the right to declare a state of emergency, there is nowhere it is stated that he can suspend officials.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the past, and the governors still held the forte in their states.
”Corroborating Osadolor, a sociopolitical group, Niger Delta Youth Council, expressed full support for the PDP Governors’ Forum in their resolve to challenge the state of emergency in court.
This was contained in a statement by the President of the NDYC, Bene Mamamu, on Friday.
He alleged that the state of emergency declared on Rivers by President Tinubu “is an expression of his bias and hatred for the Niger Delta region.
”Reverse emergency rule, Ijaw group tells Tinubu
Meanwhile, an advocacy group, Ijaw People’s Association, decried the state of emergency, describing it as a “desecration of democracy” and “desperation taken too far”.
The IPA called on the President to show that he was a democrat by reversing the decision in the interest of peace and proper development to take place.
The President of the group, Patrick Ebikebuno, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Ebikebuno noted that the declaration was disturbing for the Ijaw nation, including people of the ethnic group in Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.
He emphasised the peaceful nature of the Ijaw people, stating, “We are gentle in character and very accommodating.
”The South-South Governors’ Forum had earlier called for the reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
This was in a statement signed by the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
According to the forum, the political crisis in Rivers State ought to be ideally resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than by executive fiat.
Meanwhile, the Government of Cross River State distanced itself from the position of the South-South Governors’ Forum’s to reject the emergency rule in Rivers.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, for the first time, spoken publicly since U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution and issued threats of military action against terrorist groups in the region.
Speaking at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu avoided direct reference to President Trump but underscored Nigeria’s resilience and growing economic credibility. He cited the overwhelming success of the country’s recent $2.35 billion Eurobond, which was oversubscribed by 453 percent, as clear proof of “strong investor confidence despite political headwinds.”
“Nigeria remains open for business. The confidence of global investors in our economy is unshaken. We will continue to engage our international partners diplomatically while working tirelessly to defeat terrorism and build a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient nation,” Tinubu said.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, briefed the council that the Eurobond attracted $13 billion in orders, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s economic reform trajectory.
He added that the next phase of the administration’s reforms would focus on removing barriers to investment, reviewing tariffs and import restrictions, and improving fiscal discipline to ensure that the benefits of the reforms reach ordinary Nigerians.
Thursday’s FEC meeting marked the first in three months, with President Tinubu also swearing in two new ministers — Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN) from Enugu State and Bernard Doro from Plateau State — bringing the cabinet back to its full complement of 48 members.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s determination to crush terrorism and violent extremism, stating that no external pressure or political distraction would deter Nigeria from safeguarding its sovereignty and national security.
In a high-stakes moment for Nigeria’s diplomacy and domestic political agenda, President Bola Tinubu has spoken publicly for the first time in response to threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump — at the same time swearing in two new ministers to his Cabinet.
President Trump recently directed U.S. military planning toward Nigeria, warning that American assistance could be cut off if Nigeria continues to “allow the killing of Christians” — and even suggesting the possibility of U.S. intervention.
In response, Tinubu’s office, via Minister of Information & National Orientation Mohammed Idris, announced that the president remains calm and is taking the matter “with the depth it requires”.
The government emphasised that Nigeria is engaging via multiple channels — including religious leaders, international organisations and regional bodies — to clarify its position and dispel narratives of religious intolerance.
Analysts say the seriousness of the U.S. approach underscores global concern about Nigeria’s security and religious-freedom situation.
At a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held earlier today, President Tinubu swore in:
- Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro (from Plateau State) to fill the vacant Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Reduction.
- Mr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN, from Enugu State) to fill the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, following the resignation of his predecessor amid allegations of certificate forgery.
Their appointments were confirmed by the Senate and came at a moment of heightened domestic and international scrutiny.
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
The confirmation, which was carried out in line with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), came after Udeh successfully completed all required security screenings.
President Tinubu had, in a letter to the Senate earlier in the week, sought the lawmakers’ approval for Udeh’s appointment. With the confirmation, Udeh is now set to join the Federal Executive Council.
Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the current Attorney General of Enugu State, faced several questions during his screening. One question from Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) sought his view on the ongoing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, following threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to take military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
Before Udeh could respond, Senate President Godswill Akpabio humorously advised him to “dodge” the politically sensitive question.
When he eventually replied, Udeh offered a measured response, noting that the issue was being handled directly by President Tinubu and emphasizing that it was “more of a diplomatic matter than a legal one.”
He commended President Tinubu for revitalizing Nigeria’s foreign relations, stressing that sustained international cooperation is key to improving the country’s global image and advancing its national interests.
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