PANDEF Condemns State Of Emergency in Rivers, Calls For Reversal

PANDEF Condemns State of Emergency in Rivers, Calls for Reversal

By Victor Pius

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as an “assault on democracy and constitutional governance.”

The emergency rule, announced on March 18, resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, and the State House of Assembly.

The decision has sparked outrage among Niger Delta leaders, who gathered in Abuja for an emergency meeting to address the development.

Following the meeting, PANDEF criticized the move as politically motivated and a deliberate attempt to undermine democratic institutions.

The forum recalled that barely a week before the declaration, President Tinubu had met with South-South leaders, acknowledging PANDEF’s reconciliation efforts in Rivers State and urging Governor Fubara to comply with the Supreme Court ruling by presenting the 2025 budget to the Assembly.

However, the situation took a drastic turn when the Rivers State Assembly—dominated by loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike—adjourned indefinitely after receiving Fubara’s letter of compliance. Shortly afterward, the Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the Governor and his Deputy.

Furthermore, PANDEF expressed concern over the justification given for the emergency rule, which cited an alleged pipeline explosion.

The forum pointed out that similar incidents have occurred across Nigeria without leading to such extreme measures. It further highlighted that states in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, which have faced prolonged security crises, have not been subjected to emergency rule.

In addition, PANDEF accused the Federal Government of disregarding ongoing judicial proceedings. It noted that the Court of Appeal was set to rule on the status of 27 Rivers State lawmakers, while a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had begun hearing a related case before the emergency declaration preempted legal proceedings.

Given these developments, PANDEF called on the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to reject the emergency rule in Rivers State and uphold constitutional democracy.

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability in the Niger Delta and vowed to monitor developments closely. It pledged to take all necessary constitutional steps to safeguard the democratic rights of Rivers residents.

The communiqué was signed by key PANDEF leaders, including HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows B. Igali, Chief (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini, and Dr. Amiida Fraser.

The unfolding political crisis in Rivers State is expected to dominate national discourse in the coming days, as stakeholders weigh in on the implications of the emergency rule.