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The Peoples Democratic Party has berated President Bola Tinubu and insisted that Sim Fubara remains the Governor of Rivers State despite the declaration of a state of emergency.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that the Nigerian Constitution does not grant President Tinubu the authority to declare a state of emergency or dismiss the elected Governor, Deputy, and State Assembly.
Recall that, Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for almost two years, with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, competing for control, causing a standstill in governance in the oil-rich state.
Consequently, on Tuesday evening, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State during a nationwide broadcast.
Emphasising the need for order, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. He also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
Hours after the declaration, soldiers took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
While Fubara expressed concern and appealed for calm, the State House of Assembly praised the President’s decision.
Ologunagba stated “What President Tinubu is attempting to do is to suspend the 1999 Constitution, overturn a democratic government and foist an undemocratic regime in Nigeria in gross violation of Sections 1 (2), 14(2)(a), 180, 217(2)(b) (c) and 305 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution is clear on the tenure of a State Governor, which is prescribed as four years commencing from the date of the swearing-in. the only means provided for in the constitution for the abridgement of the tenure of a governor is death, resignation, incapacitation or impeachment and not by suspension by the President.”
The PDP urged the National Assembly to exercise its legislative authority to address this constitutional violation.
Ologunagba emphasised the importance of maintaining calm and reiterated its unwavering support for Fubara and the people of Rivers State.
The PDP also reminded Tinubu that as the nation’s leader, he is expected to act as a unifier and problem-solver, especially during crises, adding that instead of exacerbating the situation, the President should focus on resolving issues to restore peace and stability.
“We expect our members in the National Assembly to stand with the party’s position because it is clear that this state of emergency has an ulterior motive,” he stated.
The PDP called on the military and other security forces to stay neutral and fulfil their constitutional duty of protecting democratic governance, rather than being manipulated for political purposes.
The party also reiterated its backing for Fubara, maintaining that he is the legitimate, elected governor of Rivers State.
“The military and other security agencies must resist any attempt to drag them into an unconstitutional takeover of a state government. Their role is to protect democracy, not undermine it,” Ologunagba warned.
On his part, PDP South-South Caretaker Committee Chairman, Emma Ogidi, accused President Tinubu of focusing solely on Fubara while overlooking the involvement of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, in escalating the Rivers crisis.
He stated “You know, this morning we woke up, I got a call, because people are confused with what happened now.
“Yes, people are just moving about, but they are confused because they don’t know what is going to happen. It has never happened before; it’s alien.
“Mr President, all through his speech, he blamed the governor for everything, but what happens to the chief investigator? No mention was made of the FCT minister, his own minister, who we all know is the chief investigator.
“He has had several press briefings, has assaulted elders, has assaulted the Ijaw nation.
“Only last Saturday, he went to Abulama. He went with a contingent of soldiers, saying he was being honoured. A minister, going about with a contingent of soldiers.
“So when the thing was announced on Tuesday, we were not surprised because he has found a loose cannon. A man who has no respect for authorities, who believes in his own self. That’s why he’s doing what he’s doing. It’s unfortunate for us that our president has not been brought to book.
“Some of our men have run out of the state, our senior officers, I mean, party officials.
“They want to capture Rivers State. If you recall, the FCT minister had been saying he’s going to deliver Rivers State. And this one, he’s not going to stop at Rivers State. Because he believes, that’s why we’re telling our people to be very careful.
“We’re going to tell our governors to watch it. His target now is the South-South. So we are calling on you all to let the whole world know that this is the 2027 agenda. Nothing else.”
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