The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately reconsider the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State and reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu.
In a statement released on Friday, March 21, the spokesperson of NEF, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, criticized the federal government’s decision, arguing that the situation in Rivers did not warrant an emergency declaration.
“While the president has constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country, such action must be based on clear conditions outlined in Section 305 of the Constitution,” the statement read.
“These conditions include war, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, natural disaster, or a direct request from the governor. None of these apply to Rivers State, making this decision unnecessary.”
The elders further suggested that the move was politically motivated, hinting at a possible personal dispute involving a serving federal minister and a former Rivers State governor.
NEF urged the Tinubu-led government to seek a permanent resolution to the Rivers political crisis rather than resorting to extreme measures that could destabilize democracy.
“To uphold justice and democratic values, the federal government should immediately lift the suspension on the governor, deputy governor, and state assembly members,” the statement continued.
The forum also warned against escalating tensions in other states, particularly in Kano, where a political dispute over the Kano Emirate remains unresolved.
