Governors affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed their disapproval of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, particularly regarding the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the disruption of democratic institutions.
The governors criticized President Bola Tinubu for what they perceive as political favoritism towards the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, amid the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.
In a statement issued by Bala Mohammed, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, the governors affirmed their support for Fubara and the citizens of Rivers State during this challenging period in the state’s political landscape. They emphasized that the principle of “TOUCH ONE, TOUCH ALL” is particularly relevant at this time.
Regarding the President’s alleged partiality, the governors remarked: “He who seeks justice must come with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence regarding the significant role played by your FCT Minister in the Rivers situation is both tacit and enabling. He has acted independently, following your directives. This behavior is unbecoming of a statesman, and it is both biased and divisive.”
They firmly stated that this unjust and premeditated assault on Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party, and other opposition groups poses a significant threat to democracy in Nigeria. They warned that such actions are detrimental and will not yield positive outcomes. This perilous approach risks undermining the hard-fought democratic principles, intensifying national crises, fostering distrust, heightening security risks, damaging the economy, and eroding national unity and stability.
The PDP governors have aligned themselves with the stance of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and have declared their intention to pursue a judicial review of Section 305 of the Constitution, which President Tinubu cited as the basis for declaring the state of emergency in Rivers State.
The governors urged, “It is imperative for the President to heed sound advice and rational perspectives, acknowledge the serious errors made in haste, and retract this deplorable and regressive decision before it becomes irreversible.”
