•Tinubu and Fubara
The Pan Niger Delta Forum has urged the National Assembly to reject the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an undemocratic move that threatened constitutional governance.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Abuja, PANDEF described the move as an “undemocratic imposition” and urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to stand in defence of constitutional governance.
The communiqué was signed by PANDEF leaders, including the Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, Alfred Diete-Spiff, Obong Victor Attah; National Chairman, Dr Godknows Igali; and the National Spokesman, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, reports Sunday PUNCH.
“We call on the National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to reject this undemocratic imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State and stand in defence of constitutional governance
“The declaration of a state of emergency and removal of elected officials in Rivers State is a direct assault on democracy and constitutional governance.
“This move is inconsistent with President Tinubu’s previously stated opposition to emergency rule without removing governors. In 2013, he condemned a similar decision by then-President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
“The justification for the emergency—an alleged pipeline explosion—raises serious concerns, as similar incidents have occurred in Nigeria without prompting such drastic action.
“Many states in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions face persistent violence, yet no State of Emergency has been declared there”, the communique stated.
The group expressed concern over the timing of the emergency rule, noting that it came just a day before Fubara was scheduled to present the 2025 budget to the Rivers Assembly in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.
PANDEF further accused the Assembly and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike of deliberately obstructing reconciliation efforts and called on the Federal Government to respect the constitutional rights of Rivers people.
