Sowore said the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amounts to anarchy, as Tinubu unilaterally removed a democratically elected governor and installed a sole administrator.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused President Bola Tinubu of sacrificing the entire Rivers State to a political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who happens to be his friend, against the wishes of the state’s people.
Sowore said the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amounts to anarchy, as Tinubu unilaterally removed a democratically elected governor and installed a sole administrator.
Speaking on Channels TV Thursday morning about the president’s declaration, Sowore said, “It is important to state here that we are witnessing impunity in its most obvious form.”
He said when the president of a country can sacrifice an entire state—one of Nigeria’s richest and most prominent states—on the altar of political convenience to please a godfather who is his friend, then Nigerians are in trouble.
The human rights activist alleged that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency because his political ally, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, had helped him win the presidency through “electoral manipulation” in the state.
Sowore further alleged that Tinubu and Wike’s main objective is to control the state’s treasury and are already strategising for future elections.
“They’re looking at how to manipulate the next election cycle. That is the motivation behind all of this. Every step leading up to this move was designed to consolidate power for the godfather,” he said.
He continued: “What I find despicable and unacceptable is that certain people in this country can predictably engage in undemocratic actions, and they will get away with it.
“They make it clear that they do not care about the people, institutions, or democracy itself. They simply remove a governor who refuses to play along by surrendering the state’s resources, and then they impose a sole administrator overnight.
“They didn’t even wait for the National Assembly—which, pardon my words, which I called ‘useless’—to take a position on the matter. They rushed ahead with their plan because their ultimate goal was to release the state’s funds to an illegitimate appointee who was not elected by the people of Rivers State.
“Initially, the Supreme Court ruled to halt the state’s allocation until certain democratic principles were resolved. But instead of addressing those concerns, they have completely abandoned democracy altogether.”
Sowore expressed scepticism that the National Assembly would intervene, arguing that the lawmakers were only waiting to rubber-stamp the decision.
“Even if they don’t have the numbers, they will come up with some justification to push this through. But what matters is that Nigerians wake up. They have been too complacent, too quiet, and perhaps too cowardly. More people are now realising the need to come together and reclaim the country,” he said.
He stated that Nigeria cannot progress when those in power actively work against it.
“Those expected to bring progress are doing the opposite. That is why I hope this crisis will force Nigerians to rise and take action. I’m not calling for mayhem; they are the ones who have introduced mayhem into our politics. Justice is not about maintaining peace in the graveyard—it’s about fairness and accountability,” he said.
Sowore also criticised the role of Nigeria’s Attorney General (Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in enabling impunity and illegality.
He said, “One of the biggest crises in Nigeria was the annulment of the June 12 election, and that decision was driven by advice from an Attorney General. Every time we face impunity, dictatorship, or unjust laws, the Attorney General is often the enabler. Maybe we should start scrutinising that office more closely.
“It doesn’t matter who holds the position—once they become Attorney General, they take on a certain arrogance and impunity. They defend indefensible actions, like this unconstitutional takeover of Rivers State. The Attorney General surely knows this is wrong, but they do not care.
“They know Nigerians will move on, and that’s why they keep getting away with these actions. But I hope Nigerians won’t let this slide, just as they should not overlook other attacks on their rights.”
Sowore further dismissed accusations of promoting anarchy, arguing that the federal government in Rivers State imposed the real anarchy.
“Somebody imposed his friend on a state that already has elected officials. Soldiers have been sent in, the governor has been driven out—this is anarchy. So why are you accusing me of promoting anarchy? If there’s anarchy, it is the federal government that has imposed it on Rivers State,” he said.
However, Sowore reiterated his stance that Nigeria’s democracy is under siege.
“I don’t care about labels. If speaking the truth makes me an ‘anarchist,’ so be it. But what we are discussing here is not anarchy—it is the blatant destruction of democracy,” he added.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has cautioned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, on the possibility of defecting to the party.
Okocha said Fubara can’t join the APC through the back door, and must go through the laid down procedures.
Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Okocha said Fubara must join the APC from the ward level.
He said, “Just like every other Nigerian, he is at liberty to join any political party. That is the law. But, I say anybody, not restricted to the governor, the suspended governor anyway, anybody who wants to join the APC should enter the party through the door, not through the window.
“You have to go to your ward to enroll because your name as a member of the party cannot be found at the national secretariat except it comes from your ward. That is the proper door, that is the proper process.”
Fubara is currently serving a six month suspension following a state of emergency declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly due to the political crisis in the state.
The President appointed a Sole Administrator to preside over the state during the period of his suspension.
The crisis began shortly after Fubara became governor, following a disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the control of political resources in the state.
The crisis quickly degenerated into the bombing of the State House of Assembly and the sponsoring of the factionalization of the legislative arm in the state.
Despite Tinubu’s intervention for peace, the crisis persisted, and to prevent it from snowballing into a security outbreak, the President suspended the governor.
Since his suspension, Fubara has met with Tinubu and Wike in an effort to reconcile with all relevant stakeholders in the state.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Saturday, presented the staff of office to Ishaku Tagwai Sambo as the 5th Chief of Moro’a, a First Class Chiefdom in the state.
The ceremony, which took place in Manchok, followed Sambo’s confirmation as the successor to his late father, Chief Tagwai Sambo, who reigned for 58 years until his death in 2021.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Sani urged the new monarch to lead with fairness and compassion, describing the appointment as a responsibility entrusted by the people and endorsed by the laws of the state.
“You are succeeding a colossus, the late Chief Tagwai Sambo, your father, who reigned for 58 remarkable years and was known for peace, patience, and purpose,” he said.
The governor called on residents of the Chiefdom to support their new traditional ruler, saying his administration recognises traditional institutions as key stakeholders in promoting peace, security, and development.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Ishaku Sambo expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and pledged to sustain the legacy of his late father.
“Our Chiefdom enjoyed remarkable peace, prosperity, and development under his reign. I am committed to preserving that legacy and serving with humility and diligence,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Speaker Henry Magaji, Senator Danjuma La’ah, Hon. Mathew Kuzalio, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), former Deputy Governor James Bawa Magaji, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, among others.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown genuine love and commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria, particularly through his investments in the livestock sector.
The governor made this statement on Saturday during the ground-breaking ceremony of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe State.
According to the Governor, no northern leader in nearly five decades had invested as much in the livestock value chain as President Tinubu has done within his first year in office.
He said, “If not for a President who loves his people and has the capacity and will, this transformation would not have happened. No northern leader in 47 years of power considered investing ₦120 billion to transform the livestock sector, despite it being a predominantly northern industry.”
Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s administration for initiating programmes that are already bringing positive changes across the country, especially in agriculture and livestock development.
He noted that the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone being established in Gombe is part of the president’s broader plan to boost food security, create jobs, and grow the economy.
“The president approved ₦120 billion for the development of the livestock sector and has already released 50 per cent of the funds. This is a clear indication of his commitment to the economic well-being of our people,” the governor said.
He also assured President Tinubu of the full support of Gombe people ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I assure the President that for what he has done, is doing, and will do, Gombe people will follow him to the battlefield blindfolded. We will work for his success in 2027. By God’s grace, his re-election is assured.”
Gov. Yahaya urged Nigerians to remain patient, adding that although current reforms may come with temporary hardship, the long-term benefits under President Tinubu’s leadership will be worth the wait.
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