A group of activists, Concerned Nigerians in Defence of Democratic Governance, has formally petitioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over what they claim is an unlawful declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Government House in Rivers State have expressed concerns over reported plans by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to announce new local council administrators.
Such a move, they warn, would contravene the clear provisions of the Constitution and a recent Supreme Court judgment that affirms local councils must be governed by elected officials.
Amid persistent rumors that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers is sponsoring militants to blow up the state, Fubara has denied any connection with militant groups.
In addition, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, criticized the decision to release withheld Rivers federation allocation funds to the sole administrator.
In a letter dated March 24, 2025, and addressed to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, the coalition maintained that the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers was antithetical to the sustenance of democracy in the country.
The petition—jointly signed by Aliyu Tanko, Bello Adamu, Nnamdi Ekwueme, Nicholas Upelle, Sadiq Alao, and Oche Oche, and also addressed to the High Commissioners of Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo—expressed deep concerns over the measure that led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and the House of Assembly.
The activists argued that the President’s action in Rivers was unconstitutional and set a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria and the broader West African region, “if nothing is done to address it.”
They alleged that Tinubu’s decision was politically motivated to empower his ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to take control of Rivers ahead of 2027.
The group also accused the President of using the emergency rule to intimidate other state governors, warning that this tactic could lead to wider instability in the country.
They cautioned that if ECOWAS fails to act, the situation could escalate into a major crisis, potentially resulting in large-scale displacement and instability in West Africa.
However, sources who wished to remain anonymous noted that the sole administrator is expected to announce new council administrators despite the clear constitutional provisions and the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming local council autonomy.
They warned that such a move would be a blatant disregard of democratic principles and a violation of the Supreme Court’s directive that local governments must be governed by elected officials, not handpicked appointees.
FUBARA, through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, said his attention was drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in the state.
He explained that these fake videos had been linked to militant groups in the state, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to the suspended governor’s supporters.
The statement added: “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.
“The governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the state is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the state, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive.”
In a post published via X yesterday, Peter Obi said the move raised “serious moral questions.”
In a statement on his X page, Obi maintained that the decision to release the withheld funds to the sole administrator does not align with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The ex-presidential candidate reminded Nigerians that the apex court had ruled the withheld funds should be released to the state only after a properly constituted House of Assembly passes the appropriation bill. He declared:
“What we are witnessing in Rivers is a brazen disobedience and disregard for the rule of law and our democratic principles.”
“The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful; it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country.”
