Rivers: Opposition mounts against Emergency rule

Almost a week after President Tinubu shocked Nigerians with his declaration on the state of emergency in Rivers State; the decision has continued to attract reactions, But most of the reactions to the surgical intervention in the Rivers State political crisis have been condemnation of Tinubu, instead of commendation. For months, Nigerians have watched the protracted battle for poliitical control of rivers state by Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his political godfather, Nyesoom Wike

The political battle was bitter, pitching the governor against the Pro-Wike legislature who is bent on impeaching him. Apart from demolishing the state house of assembly, the governor created a parralel state house of assembly with three out of 30 members and the speaker.

The governor also withheld the salaries and allowances of 27 members of the assembly who are loyal to Nyesom Wike, A few days ago, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment, which was expected to end the political crisis and allow the rule of law to return to the state

Instead, the political crisis escalated, as Wike forces moved to impeach the governor, while the governor partially implement the Supreme Court judgment, with the sack of local government officials elected in the November 2024 poll, Tinubu who first intervened when the political crisis was just brewing last year, read a riot act to the warring faction when he asked the governor to implement the supreme court judgment to return the state back to full democracy

The emergency declaration which the president declared in the state had since continued to generate condemnation with the presidency not yielding to demands to reverse the decision, and litigation initiated to challenge the decision, what is the way forward.

That is what we are considering in today’s edition of the citizens forum.