Rivers Crisis: AGF Warns Against Complicity, Backs Suspension of Governor, Lawmakers(Video)

Rivers Crisis: AGF Warns Against Complicity, Backs Suspension of Governor, Lawmakers(Video)

In a decisive and far-reaching statement, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, addressed the press at the State House, offering clarity on the constitutional and security crisis unfolding in Rivers State.

He began by applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his bold intervention, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers—a move the AGF described as both necessary and timely, given the prolonged instability and breakdown of governance in the state. Fagbemi emphasized that despite several attempts by the President and other well-meaning Nigerians to mediate the crisis, the situation had deteriorated beyond tolerance.

Citing the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment of February 20th, the Attorney General pointed out that the Court had found the Governor of Rivers State in grave breach of the Constitution, branding his actions as despotic and concluding that there was no functional government in place. Fagbemi stressed that such findings could not be ignored by any responsible leader, and that the President, in upholding the rule of law, acted within his constitutional powers.

He went further to accuse the Governor of unilaterally demolishing the State House of Assembly, crippling legislative functions and preventing the passage of budgets and ratification of appointments. But most alarming was the Governor’s failure to condemn militant threats against vital oil infrastructure. According to Fagbemi, the Governor signaled support for these groups by not disowning their actions, even after critical oil pipelines were vandalized. This silence, the AGF argued, equated to complicity.

He reminded Nigerians that under President Tinubu, oil production had risen significantly, boosting state revenues. Sabotaging oil pipelines, Fagbemi declared, is not only an attack on Rivers State, but a betrayal of all Nigerians. He said: “For anyone to touch these pipelines is not only the enemy of Rivers, he is the enemy of Nigeria.”

Defending the state of emergency, Fagbemi insisted it was constitutionally backed and necessary to avert further chaos. He dismissed claims that the move was hasty, arguing instead that the President acted after exhausting all peaceful avenues, and that inaction could have led to total collapse. He concluded by calling for patriotism over partisanship, warning that no one should be spared when the nation’s peace and economy are under threat.