The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state House of Assembly, calling it an unwarranted overreach that threatens Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
In a statement released on Friday, March 21, 2025, NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere demanded the immediate reinstatement of Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, arguing that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers lacks constitutional grounding.
Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution on March 18, 2025, to justify the emergency rule, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and assembly members for six months amid a protracted political feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory Minister. The NEF, however, contends that the conditions outlined in the Constitution—war, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, natural disaster, or a governor’s request—have not been met. “It’s indisputable that none of these scenarios apply to Rivers State,” Jiddere stated. “This appears to be a personal vendetta, possibly fueled by the President’s alliance with Wike, who has clashed with Fubara for selfish gain, not the public good.”
The Forum accused the federal government of prioritizing political maneuvering over democratic principles, urging Tinubu to reverse the suspensions and seek a lasting solution to the Rivers crisis. “The President must lift this unjust action to restore democracy, justice, and public order,” Jiddere said. The NEF also cautioned against letting similar tensions fester elsewhere, pointing to the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute as a potential flashpoint if left unchecked.
The Rivers emergency, which saw Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) appointed as administrator, has sparked widespread backlash, with critics like the Nigerian Bar Association and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi labeling it unconstitutional. As Nigeria grapples with this latest political storm, the NEF’s call underscores a growing demand for accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
