CSOs to Tinubu: Rivers emergency rule must not exceed 90 days

The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy, a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked President Bola Tinubu to set up a reconciliation committee to resolve the political crisis in Rivers state.

The group said this would pave the way for Siminilayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers, and all the house of assembly members to be reinstated.

BACKGROUND

Last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis and vandalisation of oil facilities.

The president suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.

Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers state.

On Thursday, the senate and the house of representatives controversially ratified Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.

The house recommended that a national peace and reconciliation committee be constituted with members drawn from the federal executive council, the national assembly, and elsewhere to foster sustainable peace and harmony amongst the warring factions.

The green chamber also recommended that the president could terminate or review the state of emergency at any time during the initial six months—if the crisis is resolved.

‘EMERGENCY RULE MUST NOT EXCEED 90 DAYS’

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Olayemi Isaacs, the convener of the CSO, said the suspended elected officials in Rivers need to be restored to their positions.

Isaacs said the panel should be set up within 14 days and comprise “non-partisan eminent Nigerians”.

He said the mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days, allowing the state of emergency to be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.

According to him, if the emergency runs longer than 90 days, it would compound the crisis in the state.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to end the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers state within 90 days of its proclamation,” Isaacs said.

“The mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days so that the state of emergency can be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.”

The group asked political parties to rein in their members in states that have similar political wranglings to avoid a replication of the Rivers situation.