The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. In a statement on Tuesday night, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accused the President of overstepping his authority by ousting an elected governor and imposing emergency rule on the PDP-led state. Ologunagba said the “PDP and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State. “The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State. “The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution. “The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State. “Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.” He further said, “The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom. “In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly. Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”. “Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation. “For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged. “The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State. “Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State for the benefit of its people. He said: “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate”. Tinubu also declared a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis. He equally announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In his words: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months”.

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of engaging in anti-party activities and warned of possible disciplinary action, including expulsion. Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the party’s acting Chairman, Robinson Ewor, criticized the recent Supreme Court ruling on the defection of 27 Rivers State lawmakers and the withholding of the state’s monthly statutory allocation. In a statement issued after the State Working Committee meeting, the PDP accused the apex court of bias, alleging it granted reliefs on matters not formally presented before it. Ewor also asserted that Wike’s involvement in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration signals a shift in his allegiance, arguing that his actions have damaged the PDP’s reputation and constitute anti-party conduct. "Nyesom Wike is serving in the government of Ahmed Tinubu, there is no way his loyalty will be in PDP anymore. His loyalty 100 percent is in APC," Ewor said. "What constitutes anti-party activity is if you take actions that bring the party to disrepute. That is anti-party activity. The FCT minister has taken several actions that have brought the PDP to disrepute." Ewor warned that the party would take decisive action at the appropriate time through its established organs, including the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the state executive committees. He suggested that the party could suspend or expel Wike depending on the severity of his actions. "The party will take action at the appropriate time. You have organs of the party. We have the NEC, NWC, and the state executive committees. The party organs trickle down to the wards," Ewor said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocated to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja,” Wike issued the revocation notice on Tuesday. The letter, signed by the Director of Land Administration (FCT), Chijioke Nwankwoeze, cited PDP’s failure to pay annual ground rents for 20 years—spanning January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025—despite multiple notices in national newspapers and electronic media urging payment of outstanding bills. The letter read, “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT and inform you that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja. “The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from Ist of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025. This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property. “You would please note that the said breaches by PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagun, has dismissed reports of his resignation, calling them false and misleading. In a statement on Saturday, his Personal Assistant, Nuru Shehu Jos, affirmed that Damagun remains in office, emphasizing that the party’s constitution guarantees the National Chairman a four-year term. The PDP also refuted claims that Arise News originated the false report, urging the public to disregard the misinformation. Warning against the spread of such rumours, the party threatened legal action and called on members and stakeholders to stay united as it strengthens its position for the 2027 elections.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has acknowledged that he and other politicians backed President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election despite being aware of the controversy surrounding his Chicago State University academic records. In an interview with the BBC, the former Kaduna State governor stated that they supported Tinubu’s candidacy, believing he would replicate his achievements as Lagos State governor. “What pains me is that the government we supported, and have confidence will do well. We know what Tinubu did in Lagos, we are all aware about his Chicago, but we said if he can do the same as he did that will make Lagos great, we will support him,” he said. After criticizing President Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Nasir El-Rufai left the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, 2025. Since joining the SDP, El-Rufai has been rallying other politicians to join him in an effort to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections. As part of his political strategy, the former governor recently met with Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Tinubu ally, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He has also called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join the SDP. Addressing speculation that his defection is a move to contest for the presidency in 2027, El-Rufai stated that the decision rests with his party and the people. “It is not for me to decide, it is the party and the people that will decide. “Even when I was contesting for governor, it was people that met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ruled out any future political merger and called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and others to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai, who resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10 over a misalignment of values, made this appeal in a recent interview with BBC Hausa. He urged opposition leaders to unite under the SDP to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the Presidency stated on Friday that Tinubu is not focused on the 2027 elections but on improving Nigeria’s economic conditions. His Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, in a statement on X, emphasized that Tinubu’s priority is fostering shared prosperity for Nigerians. “He’s worried about how the reforms he has put in place will yield necessary impact. He is concerned about what happens to the economy of this country eventually. That’s the focus. “We’ve seen our foreign reserves go up. We’ve seen inflation come down. We’ve seen our trade surplus go up. “We’ve seen exports go up and imports drop. “We’ve seen the investments that have been attracted -over 50 billion. We are seeing prices dropping. “We have clear data and you have a President that is clearly in the driver’s seat, and he has stayed the course of the decisions he has taken. “And I think that the next election is not really in his view right now. “It’s how to make sure that at the end of his first term, he can sit back and say, look, “I have impacted the lives of Nigerians. I have turned this economy around”. However, El-Rufai during the interview with the BBC, called on the trio of Obi, Abubakar and Aregbesola to form a political alliance with him towards the 2027 elections. “My wishes and prayers are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf, all opposition leaders to come and join SDP, not to do a merger or to register a new political party,” he said. “What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” he said. “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.” El-Rufai clarified that his presidential political ambition in 2027, would depend on the party and the will of the people. “It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will decide. Even when I was contesting for governor, it was people that met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.

The Presidency has stated that President Bola Tinubu is currently focused on advancing his economic policies to improve Nigerians' lives, rather than on the 2027 election. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, emphasized that the president is more committed to the long-term impact of his policies than to political positioning for the next election. In a Friday night post on his X page, Dare outlined key economic gains achieved under Tinubu’s leadership. “He’s worried about how the reforms he has put in place will yield necessary impact. He is concerned about what happens to the economy of this country eventually. That’s the focus. “We’ve seen our foreign reserves go up. We’ve seen inflation come down. We’ve seen our trade surplus go up. We’ve seen exports go up and imports drop. We’ve seen the investments that have been attracted -over 50 billion. We are seeing prices dropping. “We have clear data and you have a President that is clearly in the driver’s seat, and he has stayed the course of the decisions he has taken. And I think that the next election is not really in his view right now. It’s how to make sure that at the end of his first term, he can sit back and say, look, ‘I have impacted the lives of Nigerians. I have turned this economy around.’”

The panel noted that, at the time of the judgment, the Supreme Court had no evidence before it to confirm that the 27 lawmakers were no longer bona fide members of the Rivers Assembly. However, it argued that the apex court should have refrained from commenting on the issue since related cases were still pending in court. Nonetheless, the panel dismissed the possibility of any party seeking a judicial review of the ruling, stating, "As far as this case is concerned, the Supreme Court is functus officio." According to the panel, which said it carried out an exhaustive analysis of some recent cases of public interest, “the judgement of the Supreme Court in the consolidated appeals leaves a gap as to whether the issue of the alleged defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is still alive or has been settled. “This is because the court made comments on the issue of defection without actually addressing it.” Highlighting that though the apex court had nothing before it, as at the time of the judgement, to establish that the 27 lawmakers were no longer bonafide members of the Rivers Assembly, the panel maintained that the apex court should not have commented on the issue at all since there were pending litigations on the matter. However, it ruled out the possibility of any of the parties filing an application for judicial review of the judgement, saying, “As far as the case is concerned, the Supreme Court has become functus-officio in the matter.” “Complex and lengthy judgements of courts defy easy comprehension and therefore undermine public trust,” the Justice Owoade-led panel noted, even as it urged judicial officers “to be mindful of their oath of office at all times.” As part of its recommendations, the panel held that “politicians should generally avoid undue influence on the judiciary and be more accommodating of each other in the interest of their people.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended its sittings indefinitely. The decision was made during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Friday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. This development comes just hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara wrote to the Speaker, expressing his intention to visit the House to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval. In a letter dated March 13, Fubara informed Amaewhule that he planned to present the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other suitable date within the month as decided by the House. The governor stated that his decision aligns with the Supreme Court ruling and responds to the lawmakers’ request for a re-presentation of the budget. He also recalled his previous attempt to present the budget at the Assembly Quarters, where lawmakers were temporarily sitting, but was denied access to the complex.