The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unnecessary and politically motivated decision.
The move has also drawn sharp criticism from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and other stakeholders, who accuse the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of fueling the crisis for his political gain.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, IYC President Dr. Alaye Theophilus rejected the emergency declaration, insisting that the situation in Rivers State did not warrant such drastic action.
He accused Wike of orchestrating the standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature in a bid to maintain his influence over the state.
“We will never accept the decision of Mr. President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This crisis has been engineered by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We urge the President to reconsider this decision,” Theophilus stated.
He further alleged that the recent attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Trans-Niger oil pipeline, were staged to justify federal intervention.
“It is unheard of for the President to declare a state of emergency when peaceful resolutions are still possible. Governor Fubara has shown a willingness to dialogue, but Wike and his loyalists in the House of Assembly remain confrontational,” he added.
PANDEF, the foremost socio-political group advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta, also condemned the decision.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, described the move as an attack on democracy and a plot to undermine the region’s political stability.
“Declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State is a dangerous precedent. This is nothing but a ploy to destabilize the Niger Delta and impose an illegitimate leadership,” Robinson said.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, outrightly rejected the emergency rule, describing it as unconstitutional.
“The President does not have the power to arbitrarily suspend a democratically elected governor and impose an unelected individual. This is an assault on the will of the people and an attempt to suppress opposition,” Ologunagba stated.
Similarly, the CUPP, through its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused Wike of using his influence within the federal government to manipulate the situation.
“This so-called emergency rule is nothing but a political coup. Wike has been at the center of this crisis, and now the federal government is rewarding him with total control over Rivers State,” Ugochinyere remarked.
Amid widespread condemnation, political and civil society groups have called on President Tinubu to reverse the decision.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that the action could lead to unrest in the Niger Delta.
“This is a reckless abuse of power. If the government fails to reverse this decision, it risks provoking resistance from the people,” Okaba said.
Despite mounting pressure, the federal government has yet to respond to the growing outcry over the controversial state of emergency.
Meanwhile, supporters of Governor Fubara have vowed to resist any attempt to remove him from office, raising concerns about possible escalations in the crisis.
