A coalition of opposition political leaders has rejected the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachair Lawal, asserts that the presidential move violates constitutional provisions.
The state of emergency, announced on Tuesday, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
In response, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired) has been appointed as the sole administrator for Rivers State.
Call for Reversal
The coalition has called for the immediate reversal of the decision, urging the National Assembly to reject the declaration and calling on the judiciary to intervene. They emphasized the need to protect democracy and warned against creating a political crisis in the sensitive Niger Delta region.
The Federal Government, however, defends the emergency declaration, with the Attorney General of the Federation citing it as a preventative measure against the complete impeachment of the governor and his deputy.
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