The South-South Governors’ Forum has urged the reversal of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, asserting that the political circumstances in the state do not meet the criteria for such a declaration as specified in Section 305(3) of the amended Nigerian Constitution.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Douye Diri, who is also the Governor of Bayelsa State, the forum clarified that this section indicates that a state of emergency should only be declared under certain conditions, including war, external aggression, imminent invasion, a breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public hazards.
The governors emphasized that the Constitution provides explicit procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as outlined in Section 188, and similar regulations apply to the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of parliament.
They noted that it seems these guidelines may not have been adequately taken into account in the current context.
While acknowledging the President’s constitutional responsibility to uphold law and order in the nation, the forum called on all parties to exercise restraint and promote peace in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a related development, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo publicly rejected the stance of the South-South Governors Forum regarding the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Okpebholo distanced himself from the position taken by his South-South counterparts, indicating that he was not consulted prior to their decision.
He expressed his views in a statement released to the media by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, affirming his support for the actions taken by the President aimed at achieving lasting solutions and peace in Rivers State and the broader South-South geopolitical region.
“The position by the governors opposing the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State did not get the nod of Governor Okpebholo, as he was neither consulted nor informed.
“While Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however, dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of an emergency rule in Rivers State by the President”.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed that the President’s declaration of emergency rule is the most effective measure to address the escalating issues of economic sabotage and widespread disorder that threaten the state’s stability.
Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the State APC, attributed the current situation to the failure in executing the eight-point resolution that both parties had agreed upon during the crisis.
Okocha accused certain elders, who should have advocated for peace, of advising the suspended governor against accepting the proposed terms, claiming that the President does not possess the constitutional authority to intervene in such matters.
Additionally, he mentioned that they have approached the court to seek a ruling that the President’s action is politically motivated rather than constitutionally justified.
