Concerned Rivers citizens write Tinubu, ask president to lift emergency rule

Some concerned citizens from Rivers have asked President Bola Tinubu to rescind the declaration of emergency rule in the state.

They posited that the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and the Rivers house of assembly “subvert the will of the people, and consolidate power in the hands of the federal government”.

In a statement, the group said the president’s action “reflects a blatant disregard for the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers state”.

They argued that the conditions stipulated in section 305(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) were not met before the declaration of the emergency rule.

The citizens argued that the state of emergency was declared using “false and illegal justifications, including the alleged pipeline explosion”.

“Due to the failure to meet constitutional requirements, any attempts by certain individuals to fabricate or create these conditions constitute a criminal act and a severe obstruction of justice,” the statement reads.

“In our view, this criminality should be treated as more serious than the underlying wrongful and false declaration of a state of emergency.

“We, the people of Rivers State, hereby demand a thorough investigation into who manufactured the nonexistent conditions that misled you into declaring a state of emergency, which has now plunged Rivers State into a state of political uncertainty.

“We respectfully submit that the state of emergency was imposed using false and illegal justifications, including the alleged pipeline explosion.

“Therefore, it should be lifted and the governor reinstated.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state could simply be translated as a reward for criminality because the perpetrators of the conditions upon which you based your decision seem to have achieved their ultimate goal.

“However, the recent declaration of a state of emergency which was obviously arrived at under questionable circumstances, and your failure to adhere to the constitutional guidelines outlined in section 305, contradict the principles of democracy.

“Therefore, we demand that you immediately rescind the declaration of emergency and restore Governor Fubara and his Deputy to their rightful positions alongside all that constitutes civil governance that have broken down in Rivers State as a consequence.

“We urge you to respect the quasi-autonomy of Rivers State and allow the democratic process to proceed without any interference from you, or the Executive branch.”

The statement was signed by Donu Kogbara, Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Ibim Semenitari, Lloyd F. Ukwu, Julie A Dyer, Ibiba Omotoso, Kariba Braide, Aselle Abigo-Tshiunza, Karibo Lawson, George Ibifubara Jumbo, Dr Pax Harry, Ogu Emejuru, Nimi Amachree, Soala Iyalla, Daba Ibiama, Arnold Amino Amacree, Ibiba DonPedro, Derego Somiari, Michael Aloega, Abosi Israel, Sam Warmate, Osmond Dumo Barango, Aji Amachree Ihetu, and Onu Nkiru Uba.

Amid the controversy trailing the emergency rule, Fubara reportedly visited Tinubu last week during the president’s trip to London.

The meeting with Fubara was said to be at the instance of the suspended governor.

According to the report, Fubara promised to make some concessions in a bid to resolve the political crisis in Rivers.