Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that the move could tarnish Nigeria’s image. Speaking as Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan expressed disappointment over the removal of elected leaders. “These actions by key government actors cast the country in a negative light,” he stated. His remarks come days after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich South-South state, leading to the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly. Tinubu defended the decision, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that it was necessary to restore stability amid ongoing political conflicts between the governor and state lawmakers. He confirmed that the proclamation had been published in the Federal Gazette and sent to the National Assembly. Jonathan, however, argued that such actions undermine investor confidence and damage the country’s democratic image. While acknowledging that former presidents typically refrain from political commentary to avoid inflaming tensions, he said he felt compelled to speak due to persistent appeals from Nigerians, particularly as a prominent Niger Delta figure. He also criticized undue interference in the judiciary, warning that it erodes public trust in the legal system. Tinubu added, “This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. “It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has stated that it cannot take a stance on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stressing its role in fostering unified policies and driving sustainable socioeconomic growth. In a statement on Saturday, NGF Director General Abdulateef Shittu emphasized that taking sides on divisive partisan matters, regardless of the framing, reflects a flawed grasp of history. Rivers State has faced political turmoil for nearly two years, with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, locked in a power struggle that has stalled governance. In response, Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state House of Assembly members for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator. The NGF urged the public and media to exercise patience, expressing confidence that appropriate platforms and crisis management efforts would resolve the situation. It stated, “The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people. “As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests. “In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history —just a few years after the Forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members. “Regardless, the Forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the disputed national secretary position confirms former National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, as the legitimate party scribe. In a statement on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that the judgment upholds the principle that leadership decisions within political parties are internal affairs beyond judicial interference. He affirmed that Okoye’s selection as National Secretary aligns with party regulations. Ologunagba further explained that following Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s nomination as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 2023 Imo State election, the NWC, at its 576th meeting on October 11, 2023, instructed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement. “Today’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirms the standing position of the Party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the substantiative National Secretary of the PDP having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory Organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” the party said. “For clarity, the NWC at its 576th meeting held on the 11th of October, 2023, directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon Senator Anyanwu’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 Governorship election in Imo State. “Consequent upon the directive of the NWC, the South East Zonal Executive Committee at its meeting held on the 20th of October 2023 passed a resolution approving the emergence and forwarding of the name of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye to the NWC as the National Secretary of the Party. “Accordingly, the NWC at its 577th meeting held on 7th of November 2023 pursuant to its powers under the PDP Constitution, duly received, deliberated upon, accepted and approved the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party, which appointment has also since been endorsed by relevant Organs and bodies of the PDP including the Board of Trustees (BoT), South East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum and officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.”

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticised the Senate’s use of a voice vote to approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. On Tuesday, the president imposed emergency rule on the oil-rich state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers Assembly for an initial six-month period. On Thursday, both the 109-member Senate and the 360-member House of Representatives, largely controlled by the president’s party, endorsed the emergency rule through separate voice votes. However, in a statement on Friday, Kingibe argued that such a critical decision requires clear consensus, which cannot be accurately determined by a voice vote. Her statement reads, “As the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elected on the platform of Labour Party, I, Ireti Kingibe, maintain a clear, firm and unequivocal stance on the recent declaration of emergency rule and the associated voting procedures conducted in the National Assembly. “I strongly oppose the use of voice voting for such critical, vital and constitutional issues. The Nigerian Constitution explicitly mandates that a state of emergency proclaimed by the President must be ratified by a “two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly.” “A two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for significant decisions like approving an emergency proclamation in the National Assembly, and this level of consensus CANNOT be accurately determined by a voice vote. “According to Section 305(2) & (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), an emergency proclamation must receive the approval of at least two-thirds of all members of each House — the Senate and the House of Representatives. A voice vote, where members express agreement by saying “Aye” or “Nay,” CANNOT precisely measure the required two-thirds majority. “When a supermajority like two-thirds is needed, a recorded vote — whether through division voting, roll call, or electronic voting is necessary to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules generally mandate a roll call or electronic voting system to accurately determine numerical compliance for decisions of this magnitude. “A voice vote is insufficient for determining a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly for an emergency proclamation. A formal recorded vote is crucial to confirm the exact number of lawmakers in support. “As custodians of the Laws of the Land and specifically the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly must jealously guard this role. They must ensure that the rule of Law prevails and remember their “raison d’etre” which is to oversight/guide the President’s decisions by confirming or rejecting when his choices are not allowed by law. “National Assembly members are the direct representatives of the people, the voice of the people. Without a roll call or electronic voting, the people haven’t spoken and therfore cannot, should not and will not take responsibility for the President’s decision, as constitutional required in matters of this magnitude.”

The Supreme Court has overturned the judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, which had removed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A five-member panel of the apex court ruled on Friday that the position of National Secretary falls under the internal affairs of the PDP and is not subject to judicial intervention. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur struck out the trial court's October ruling and set aside the Court of Appeal's majority decision from December, which had upheld Anyanwu’s removal. Instead, the Supreme Court endorsed the minority judgment of Justice Ekanem, who had ruled that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. Furthermore, the court held that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, lacked the legal standing to file the suit, as he failed to demonstrate how the appointment of the PDP National Secretary personally affected him.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined forces to oppose President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. At an ongoing press conference, opposition leaders in attendance include Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi (represented by Yunusa Tanko), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties Peter Ahmeh, and Alternative Convenor Segun Showunmi, among others. Apologies were announced on behalf of former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, among others.

The South-South Governors’ Forum has demanded the reversal of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement released on Thursday, the forum’s chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, signed the declaration in Yenagoa, the state capital. It reads , “To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the Rescission of the State of Emergency.” The forum also called for dialogue as a path forward and encouraged all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the country. “In the meantime, we encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The time for dialogue is now,” the statement read. The forum acknowledged the six-month state of emergency and the suspension of two democratic institutions, recognizing the president’s constitutional duty to uphold law and order, as well as their own mandate to ensure peace and stability in their states. However, the governors argued that the situation in Rivers State does not meet the conditions outlined in Section 305(3) of the constitution, as amended, for declaring a state of emergency. They also emphasized that the constitution clearly outlines procedures for the removal of a governor, deputy governor, and members of the state House of Assembly. According to the forum, the political crisis in Rivers State should be resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than executive intervention. The statement read in part, “The South-South Governors’ Forum notes the six-month declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a constituent part of our Forum, and the suspension of two democratic institutions. “We recognise the President’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order throughout Nigeria, just as we are equally mandated to securing peace and stability in our states. “However, the South-South Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended). This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers. “It is also worth noting that the Constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of parliament. In the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered. “We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”

Senator Seriake Dickson has fiercely condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that it is unjustified and a threat to democracy. Speaking on PrimeTime with Arise TV, the former Bayelsa governor called the decision shocking and misguided. “As a committed democrat, I was shocked when the president’s proclamation was read, and I immediately released a statement to condemn it,” he stated. Dickson argued that while there are concerns in Rivers, they do not warrant such an extreme measure. He also cautioned that a state of emergency does not require the suspension of the governor, deputy, or state lawmakers. “I have been making calls to ensure this incident is not misinterpreted as an ethnic clash between the Ikwere and Ijaw people. Leaders across all divides must see it for what it is—a political issue,” he warned. The senator also expressed doubts over the level of consultation before the proclamation, stressing that it contradicts the principles of constitutional democracy. “The President knows the key actors, yet whatever step he took appears insufficient. Suspending elected officials is like igniting a nuclear bomb in a constitutional democracy,” he added. While acknowledging that Section 305 of the Constitution allows for a state of emergency, he questioned whether the legal conditions had been met. “Even if they are fulfilled, it does not automatically imply the suspension of the governor or lawmakers,” Dickson concluded.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, described the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers as a “compromise” to avert the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. Fagbemi made this statement on Wednesday while speaking to State House Correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu. “Don’t forget there was a notice of impeachment from the House of Assembly. If that impeachment had been allowed to take its full course, then the governor would have lost entirely and completely. “So, in a way, if you say it’s a compromise, I will agree. “If the impeachment process had continued, in the end would have seen both the governor and the deputy governor out of office for the remainder of the four-year term,” he said.

The House of Representatives concluded its plenary on Wednesday without addressing the state of emergency in Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu had declared the emergency on Tuesday in response to the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich South-South state. Many had anticipated that the matter would be discussed at the Green Chamber, but lawmakers did not raise the issue during the session. Before plenary began, however, two female lawmakers, Blessing Amadi from Rivers State and Marie Ebikake, engaged in a heated argument over the emergency declaration. Despite this, the session proceeded as scheduled, with lawmakers shifting their focus to the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer program. Honourable Abass Adigun, who moved the motion, highlighted concerns over delayed payments. He noted that while nominees were promised N50,000 for three months starting in August 2024, some received payments late, while others had yet to be paid. The National Cash Transfer Office has also failed to address these delays.