The South-South Governors’ Forum on Thursday rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The president on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers in response to the crisis in the oil-rich state.
He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He had since appointed a former chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd) as the state’s sole administrator.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that the political situation in Rivers did not deteriorate to require emergency rule in the state.
Diri said section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution stipulated that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, and imminent invasion.
He added that the conditions also included the breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.
According to him, the constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor as detailed in Section 188.
The governor said: “And similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of the parliament.’’
“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.
‘’As a path forward to reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, the South-South Governor’s Forum proposes the rescission of the State of Emergency.
“In the meantime, we encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”