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Rivers: Fear heightens emergency rule may last beyond six months

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Some political activists in Rivers State have expressed concerns over the body language of the Sole administrator, which according to them, might be an indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be extending the State of emergency in the state.

However, they are of the opinion that there is no reason whatsoever to extend the emergency rule in the state which they described as peaceful even before the President took the decision.

Activists and political watchers who spoke to Ekwutosblog believe that the President was even misled by some politicians in making the declaration, calling on him to end it without further delay.

Ekwutosblog reported that President Bola Tinubu had in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The president said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.

Tinubu said having made an evaluation of the situation, he had decided to “declare a state of emergency from March 18”.

He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, all elected members of the House of Assembly of the State and nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, Rtd, as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.

Upon assumption of office, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, on April 9, 2025, appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, as the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika disclosed in a Special Government Announcement

In the absence of the suspended Rivers House of Assembly, President Tinubu had last week written to the National Assembly for the consideration and passage of the 2025 budget of the Rivers State Government.

Tinubu said the N1.481 trillion budget is being presented to the National Assembly.

The President said this is in view of the nullification of the state’s 2025 budget by the Supreme Court, and the fact that the state is currently under emergency rule.

Recall that the Rivers Assembly has not been in session following the declaration of state of emergency in the state by the President on March 18, 2025.

Before presenting the state budget to the apex legislative body, the Rivers Sole Administrator had recovered two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Hiace bus from Deputy governor of the state, Mrs Odu, saying it was a routine administrative action meant to secure State property.

Following some of the appointments made by Ibas, a Niger Delta human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, had accused the sole administrator of pouring petrol to the fire President Bola Tinubu sent him to quench in the state.

This was as she said Ibas’s actions in the state were contrary to what the president sent him to do.

According to the activist, “…he [Ibas] has removed people who were constitutionally and democratically in governance,” talking about the Local Government Chairman who were suspended by the Sole administrator)

“There were no issues, and he came along and removed everybody.

“Even in the government house, it is alleged that he has removed the pictures of Siminalayi Fubara. I repeat Siminalayi Fubara remains the governor of Rivers State,” Ann-Kio Briggs said.

Also, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus recently said that the actions of Ibas have set the state on a keg of gunpowder

He also implored President Tinubu to resist what he described as a misguided advice and restore Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has the mandate of the people.

He said, “The President should be guided by the voice of reason by restoring Governor Similaya Fubara, who has the mandate of the people.

“The Sole Administrator’s activities have set Rivers State on a keg of gunpowder, and I weep for my state.

“Sadly Rivers State has found itself on the ugly side of history over the control of Resources and the state by one man.”

Ibas had defied the Port Harcourt Federal High Court ruling and appointed sole administrators for the 23 Local Government of the state.

He did this by suspending all the democratically elected LG chairmen for six months and appointed those that have been described as ‘Wike’s boys’ to run the affairs of the LGAs.

Ibas, among other things, had also dissolved the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and approved the reconstitution of the electoral body.

He announced the appointment of Michael Odey as the new Chairman with members: Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira- Member, Professor (Dr) Arthur Nwafor – Member, Professor Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member, Professor (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor – Member, Dr (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce – Member, Professor Chidi Halliday.

All members are allegedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

All this put together, a Port Harcourt-based political activist, legal practitioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chizy Enyi, said he does not see democratic rule being restored in Rivers State soon.

He said that there was no indication that the President will restore the governor during his nationwide broadcast by May 29 as has been rumoured.

In an interview with Ekwutosblog , Mr. Enyi said, “For those saying that there is likelihood of cutting short the six month suspension of the governor, I think those people must be day dreaming.

“Assuming the president wants that, from today and May 29 that he will address the nation in less than one week, what is the essence of transmitting [Rivers State] budget to the National Assembly?

“Of what essence is it? If he lifts the suspension, the job of the National Assembly to take over the affairs of the Rivers State House of assembly will die down, and then that means that the budget before them will also die. All actions will die down.

“So presenting the appropriation bill of one point something trillion Naira to the National Assembly is evidence that the President is not ready for democratic rule to return to Rivers State.

“Anybody believing that the President will cut short the emergency rule in Rivers State, my dear brother, it is no no thing.

“But history will always repeat itself. We’ll always remember President Tinubu that he sent us too backward and when he was president, this is the extent he has done havoc in the River State.

“As we see currently, everything has been almost suspended because all the contractors have left the sights, including the most used company, Julius Berger has left the sights particularly the Omoku road, Port Harcourt Ring Road, Emehua Rd, and Ogbakiri Road.

“The company working on the Kalabari road has left the site, which one will we mention? Everything about construction has died down.

“And in fact, since there is no more democracy, there is also no more development in Rivers State and Mr President is happy. Do you know the irony of this, Mr president has stayed in office for about two years now he has not visited the Rivers state.

“Why then do we talk of such a person to help us to make progress? Even during his campaign, when he was consulting delegates in the APC, he never deemed it necessary to visit Rivers State.

“Rivers wasn’t part of the states he consulted the delegates during his primary. So he has no reason to even have us as one of the states he will help. So that is it.

“If the President is interested in democratic rule in River State, he has seen that the problem in the state is Wike vs the Governor, and Wike is his personal appointee, if he directs Wike to go and make peace, or he’ll be sacked, the man will have no option.

“Imagine the two gladiators fighting, his minister and the democratically elected Governor of the state and he suspended the governor, leaving his minister. It shows that he really has the minister as his own person, undermining all the democratic structures in Rivers, hence the illegal state of emergency.

“Now, assuming he was also suspended as a minister, Rivers people would have been looking at it from the way of ‘okay, he has refused to favour anybody, even though he knows that his actions are illegal.

“Because when we talked about the suspension of the governor, they said he averted the doomsday, how? The Constitution didn’t anticipate averting the doomsday. The Constitution says, allow the doomsday to come. That is the basis in which action should be taken.”

For Darlington Nwauju, the APC Spokesperson in Rivers State, the emergency rule and suspension of Governor Fubara would go beyond the six months declared by the President.

Mr Nwauju predicted that the emergency rule would be extended by the fact that the Sole administrator wants to stay longer as his actions and body language, according to the APC chieftain, could tell.

According to him, the purpose of declaring a State of emergency in Rivers State, which is primarily to restore peace in the state, has not been met as of today.

“Well, for me, once, we must understand that for every decision that is taken, there is what we call the manifest and the contextual reasons behind such decisions.

“I would agree that there was a Supreme Court decision on 28 February.

“Now as a fallout from that, one of the objectives for directing a state of emergency and a Sole administrator was to allow for all the worrying parties or factions to sheath swords.

“As of today, I cannot say for sure that peace has been restored. I cannot also say for sure that the warring factions have reached an amicable solution or resolution to all the issues, all the points of their grievances.

“Now, I must also point out the fact that in the course of this crisis, Rivers people, and indeed, Nigerians, have not been told in specific terms by both the elected Governor of the State, Sim Fubara and the FCT Minister what the actual [problem] is.

“The other man is saying that nobody should tamper with the structures, and we do not know what the structures are, because we know that in politics, political structures are merely party executives and all that and all that…

“However, we suspect that this whole structure change and this whole argument over political capture of Rivers State by the FCT Minister have everything to do with the resources of the Rivers state.

“Unfortunately, the man who has the mandate of the people of Rivers state to protect the resources of River State and his people has not also told us what the actual challenge is.

“It has only been the people bursting into the air trying to defend democratic structure of Rivers State.

“So far, I will not be able to do much about what is happening because one of the parties involved in this matter is choosing to keep a tight lip.

“He is rather choosing to swallow whatever that is being presented to him. So the question that an ordinary man on the street is now asking is, why must we now start crying more than bereaved?

“Because the man who was given the mandate to protect the resources has himself not told us what the actual issues are.

“Why must Rivers State now find itself in this quagmire which I perceive is ready to take beyond the six months mandate.

“I want to predict that the body language of the Sole administrator is and even his comments and all the attributions to him…gives him a way, as a man who is actually bending towards being beyond the six months period.

“This is based on the interplay of forces on ground in Rivers State, because the president cannot even do much if what is on ground tells him that all is now well in this state, and the people are ready to move away from the season of emergency rule, he [the President] would have no other option than to restore the democratic instructure.

“But I am saying that the interplay of forces, what is happening in Rivers state, it seems to me that the Sole administrator is bending, and if you like to go spiritual about it, is praying to stay beyond six months in the Government House of Rivers State.

“But it is only when the forces on ground, the political actors allow or permit or create the room for the emergency rule to be extended beyond six months, then we would see such an extended intervention.

“But when and if those on ground, the major political actors, have decided to sheath their sword and drop their ego because what I see is more like an ego business if you listen to their conversations.

“If you listen to the interviews of some of the actors, some of the people following Nyesom Wike, you agree with me, you will read in between the lines. You will see the devil in the details that all is not yet well.

“And if there is such a situation that gives room for an extension of the state of emergency, then on the balance of probability, I will not be surprised if this goes beyond the six months period,” he told Ekwutosblog

The APC chieftains, however, said that it would be for the best interest of democracy for the political actors to know that it should always be about the people and not about a set or class of individuals or the elite.

Politics

Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s Key Demands at Constitution Review Public Hearing

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Gov. Hope Uzodimma

— Governor-General of Ndi Igbo in Action

By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu | July 20, 2025.

At the public hearing in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodimma made bold, patriotic demands to correct historical injustices and strengthen national unity. His key advocacies include:

1. Creation of more South East states — at least two, including Anim State, to end underrepresentation.

2. Rotational Presidency — constitutionally rotate presidency among the six geopolitical zones.

3. Indigeneship by birth or 10-year residency — to promote inclusion and national unity.

4. State Police — decentralize policing for better grassroots security.

5. Peaceful engagement — urged Ndi Igbo to push their demands through dialogue, not agitation.

 

With these strong positions, Gov. Uzodimma once again proves himself the Governor-General of Ndi Igbo, boldly speaking truth to power.

— Ambrose Nwaogwugwu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic and Creative Media.

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Dogara opposed Muslim-Muslim ticket, then begged for appointment – Ex-aide

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A former close associate of ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Barrister Maigida Yakubu, has strongly criticised the former lawmaker, describing him as a “master manipulator who has traded honour for deceit, unity for chaos, and trust for betrayal.”

He also accused Dogara of leading the Zaar (Sayawa) community towards division and crisis.

In an eleven-page open letter titled “Behind the Curtain of Deceit: Unmasking the Architect of the Zaar Identity Crisis and Division,” Maigida said Dogara’s recent acceptance of a political appointment from the same government he openly opposed during the 2023 campaigns shows hypocrisy.

He criticised Dogara’s role during the 2023 presidential election, especially his public rejection of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. Maigida said Dogara presented himself as a moral voice but later went behind the scenes begging for appointments from the same party he attacked.

“Your trademark deceit and constant mistakes have finally received the attention they deserve. If awards were given for political self-destruction, you would win them all. You acted like a hero opposing the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, pretending to be a moral leader. Yet, for the past two years, you’ve been chasing the same people for political favours without shame,” he wrote.

He further mocked Dogara for organising a fake Christian protest crowd, mostly from the Middle Belt, to support his political stand, saying he only does things when they serve his selfish interest.

Maigida said the Tinubu administration only gave Dogara a minor appointment to keep him quiet politically.

“The government knows who you are; that’s why they gave you a small chairmanship position—not out of respect, but to silence you. These days, you move around political offices like a desperate fly, trying to get attention,” he added.

He accused Dogara of using and dividing his people, especially the youth, for personal gain without helping anyone. “Tell us, is there any Basayi son or daughter who can truly say they were empowered during your time in office as Representative and Speaker?” he asked.

According to him, Dogara is more known for acquiring property and building estates using money he made from years of shady dealings in the National Assembly. “In fact, ‘padding’ might be your most memorable legacy from the 8th Assembly, and it will always follow your name like a shadow,” Maigida added.

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Constitution Review: Ovation greets Uzodimma’s call for more South East States, rotational presidency, others

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Constitution Review: Ovation greets Uzodimma’s call for more South East States, rotational presidency, others

…Kalu urges stakeholders to feel free to speak their minds in public hearing

Loud ovation on Saturday greeted the call by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for the creation of additional States in the South East as well as the making of rotational presidency in Nigeria a constitutional matter.

It was also on a day Senator Uzodinma, Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, said that the issues of indigeneship and State Police in Nigeria should be taken more seriously, and that the lawmakers working on the Constitution review should strive to fashion that truly reflects the thinking of the people.

However, in calling for urgent constitutional reforms to address the grievances of the Igbo people to guarantee inclusivity, justice, and equity in the Constitution, Governor Uzodimma said he does not belong to the group seeking for outright scrapping of Nigeria’s existing statute book as no Constitution, all over the world, is perfect.

Speaking at the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Owerri on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Uzodinma advocated for the creation of at least two additional States in the South East zone to address underrepresentation in national institutions.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu declared the Public Hearing for stakeholders from Imo and Abia States open. Kalu came with other members of the House of Representatives Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution of which he is Chairman.

In his well articulated speech, Governor Uzodimma further proposed a legal definition of indigeneship based on birth or long-term residence (10 years) to promote inclusivity; while also calling for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones to promote national stability.

On the issue of State policing, the Imo State Governor supported the decentralisation of police powers for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.

He urged the National Assembly to consider these proposals as part of the constitutional review process, emphasising that a constitution that reflects the values and aspirations of all Nigerians is essential for national stability and progress.

“Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity. Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders,” Uzodinma stressed.

He further called on Ndigbo to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review to seek redress for their long-standing grievance and shun threats of secession and violence, insisting on their using the constitutional review process to articulate their demands peacefully.

Governor Uzodimma’s speech read:

“It is my utmost pleasure to welcome all the members of the National Assembly who are in Owerri today to preside over this public hearing on proposed further alterations to the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This hearing, which covers Imo and Abia States, provides a valuable opportunity for our people to contribute meaningfully to the process of building a constitution that equitably serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“This is democracy at work, and democracy thrives only where justice and fairness prevail. On behalf of the government and the good people of Imo State, I say to you: Unu abiala.

“I also welcome our brothers and sisters from Abia State, who are here in their numbers. Until a few years ago, Owerri served as the capital of us all. Today, we have Umuahia and Abakaliki as capitals of new states. Through our collective efforts, perhaps we shall soon have more state capitals like Orlu, Aba, Nsukka, and more. I believe that this is the prayer of the entire South East, and it shall come to pass by the grace of God.

“Let me commend the National Assembly for its sustained efforts to deepen democracy through periodic constitutional reviews. I recall that this is the sixth major review since 1999. That speaks volumes about your responsiveness to the wishes of the people. I salute your diligence.

“As we all know, there are differing views across Nigeria about what our Constitution should reflect in order to fortify our young democracy. These perspectives mirror both the richness of our diversity and the inadequacies of a legal framework that often leaves many citizens feeling unprotected or unaccommodated in project Nigeria. Albeit, I must add that I am not among those who call for a wholesale scrapping of the current Constitution.

“Like most constitutions around the world, ours is a work in progress. Let us continue to build on it, and today’s hearing is part of that noble effort. There is no perfect Constitution anywhere in the world. This is the reason for the existence of parliaments all over the world.

“Our people in Imo and Abia States, and indeed the South East, have clear expectations. I believe the time has come to address them with urgency, sincerity, and justice.

“First, the issue of state creation. It bears repeating that the southeast remains the only geopolitical zone with five states. Every other zone has six or more. This imbalance has led to underrepresentation in critical national institutions, from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council.

” It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity. Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South East. It is my well considered submission that Anim State should be one of the new states to be created. This is one state that will have an oil-producing status upon creation. This makes it commercially viable, with sufficient revenue base to self sustain. This should naturally go hand in hand with the creation of new local government areas for the zone.

“The second issue is the matter of indigeneship. Our subsisting constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live and work in any part of the country. But in practice, those born and raised in a place where their grandparents may not have originated from are still regarded and treated as non-indigenes.

“That cannot be in tandem with the spirit of brotherhood we boldly recite in our national anthem. We should not be seen to be speaking from two sides of our mouth.
We need to legally define indegeneship by birth or long-term residence – say, ten years. Anyone born in a state or has lived in a state for upwards of ten years should be a legitimate indigene of that state. This is common practice in advanced democracies.

“It was also becoming the norm in our pre-first Republic years, until that Republic was cut short. How else did Mallam Umaru Altine become the Mayor of Enugu in 1952 if not because he was accepted as an indigene of Enugu? That tells us something profound about our potential for unity if only the constitution can catch up with our history. I therefore urge this committee to seriously consider this matter as part of the proposed constitutional amendments.

“Third, I wish to call for the constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency, not along the ambiguous North–South divide, but along our six established geopolitical zones. This is not about tokenism but national stability. Already, zoning has helped calm nerves over federal appointments. If Nigerians know that the presidency will rotate among the six zones, it will remove the fear of domination and deepen the sense of inclusion in the country.

“In addition, the time has come for us to take decisive steps on State Police. The current centralised policing structure is overstretched and often disconnected from local realities. As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, I can confirm that we support the decentralisation of the police for greater responsiveness and effectiveness. The fear that governors will misuse such a force is unfounded and frankly outdated. We cannot allow the past to paralyse the future when our citizens are crying out for safety and order at the grassroots.

“Distinguished Honourable Members of the National Assembly, ladies and gentlemen, our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity. Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders.

“Distinguished Honourable Members, as you tour the country on this important assignment, may you be guided by the hope of millions who seek a Constitution that truly belongs to them: one that ensures fairness, equity, and a level playing field for all.

“I know you have the vision and courage to deliver this. May God grant you the wisdom to succeed. I wish you a memorable stay in Owerri, the capital city of hospitality in the East.”

In his Presentation, the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu also advocated for inclusive Constitution, State Police and free and compulsory universal basic education in the Constitution Review.

He however stressed the need for Federal Government to mitigate potential issues likely to arise with the State Policing by proposing the establishment of legal safeguards, oversight committees and structured command model to check abuses.

In his opening remarks, the House Committee Chairman on the 1999 Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu recalled the historic journey made by the nation to determine the destiny of the people of Nigeria and to close the gap in our legal system as well as strengthen the sacred duty of the constitution.

Kalu noted that the Committee, since it’s inauguration, has made genuine efforts to represent every concerns through inclusive engagement of all sectors of the society in the Constitution amendment process.

He maintained that the Constitution should be a social contract that reflects contemporary realities, the desires and aspirations of every Nigerian, and a moral engagement for our future. He therefore urged all to feel free to present their ideas and recommendations on the key areas of Gender Equality, Judicial and Fiscal Reforms, Security and Policing, Devolution of Powers and Citizen Engagement.

Chief Chris Uche SAN, Consultation to the Committee, gave an overview of the total of 82 bills which were put together by the House of Representatives for review and commended the Committee members for their passion to undertake the historic and solemn task.

Chief Uche equally thanked Governor Uzodimma for hosting the South East Centre B Public Hearing, and expressed optimism that the reform will bring about renewed faith in the Country.

Some of the thematic areas Chief Uche highlighted include; Electoral reforms, Judicial Reforms, Local Government Reforms, State Policing and Security, Bills to strengthen the Traditional Institutions, Fiscal Reforms, Fundamental Rights/Citizenships, and bill to embolden INEC to produce free and fair elections.

The event had a technical session where different stakeholders and groups participated and made their presentations.

The Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Senator Osita Izunaso in his goodwill message supported Governor Uzodimma in his presentation for the creation of more States, rotational presidency and bill to provide immunity for certain political office; while the Chairman Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Emmanuel Okeke advocated for the expansion of the functions of traditional rulers, and for the amendment to make traditional council an advisory body to the government.

Representative of Nigerian Labour Congress in the South East Zone, Comrade Uche Chigaemezu on behalf of the Union advocated for the transfer of Labour and Industrial relation from exclusive list to the concurrent list to allow States to regulate labour issues more effectively.

Others who spoke include; representatives of TUC, NULGE, NUT, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Faith Based Organizations, Women Groups and Organised Private Sectors.

The Public Hearing was well attended by stakeholders from Imo and Abia States.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser Media to the Governor
July 19, 2025.

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