Nigeria Governors’ Forum Quiet On Rivers Crisis As PDP Governors Seek Court Intervention

Nigeria Governors’ Forum Quiet On Rivers Crisis As PDP Governors Seek Court Intervention

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has remained silent on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Despite the severity of the situation, NGF Chairman, Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, has yet to make any official statement. Efforts by journalists to get a response from the NGF Director-General, Lateef Shittu, were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned Tinubu’s action and have vowed to challenge the decision in court.

PDP Governors Condemn Tinubu’s Decision

In a statement issued by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, the party described the president’s move as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and divisive.

The PDP governors accused President Tinubu of favoring FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom they claimed played a major role in the Rivers political crisis.

“We stand in solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history,” the PDP governors said.

The statement criticized Tinubu’s silence on Wike’s alleged role in the political instability, calling it an act of bias and partiality.

Legal Challenge and Call for Reversal

The PDP governors warned that imposing emergency rule in Rivers State could escalate security tensions, deepen mistrust, and destabilize the state’s economy.

In line with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), they also called for a judicial review of Section 305(3) of the Constitution, arguing that Tinubu’s action was a dangerous precedent.

They urged the president to reconsider and reverse his decision before further damage is done.

“Mr. President must listen to wise counsel and accept that he made a grievous mistake in haste. He should immediately reverse this undemocratic and unconstitutional action before it is too late,” the PDP Governors’ Forum concluded.

Fubara’s Response

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, responding to the crisis, vowed to confront the situation with “wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process.”