News

Fani-Kayode commends Tinubu over declaration of emergency rule in Rivers

Published

10 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, following months of political turmoil in the state.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Fani-Kayode praised the President’s decision, likening it to a father intervening in a dispute among his children.

He wrote, “The declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State is a bold and commendable move that will restore peace and stability. I also believe it will bring the major players in the crisis back to their senses. When children refuse to stop fighting, the father must step in lest they burn the house down.”

The crisis in Rivers State had escalated in recent weeks, prompting Tinubu to take decisive action. As part of the emergency measures, the president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Announcing the suspension, Tinubu said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”

To oversee the state’s affairs, the president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas as Administrator, tasked with restoring order and ensuring governance continues in the interest of Rivers residents.

The declaration has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising it as necessary for stability, while critics argue it raises concerns about executive overreach.

News

Rep Ugochinyere Condemns Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Published

13 minutes ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…Say “It Is Unconstitutional”

By Gloria Ikibah

Member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere has strongly opposed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an unconstitutional overreach.

Speaking on the matter, Ugochinyere acknowledged that the President has the constitutional power under Section 305 to declare a state of emergency in cases of security threats.

However, he argued that Preside t Tinubu exceeded his powers by suspending Governor Similayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as appointing an administrator to oversee the state.

The lawmaker also accused the President of bypassing the National Assembly’s authority,as he referenced Section 11 of the Constitution, which gives the legislature, and not the executive, the power to make laws for a state if its House of Assembly becomes dysfunctional.

“The President does not have the power to suspend a democratically elected governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly. Where did he get the power to appoint an administrator? That position is unknown to law.

“The President insulted us by usurping our constitutional power and handing it to the Federal Executive Council. Under Section 11(4), if a state assembly cannot function, the National Assembly makes the laws. But now, the President has taken that role away from us and given it to an unknown administrator”, he said.

Ugochinyere also raised concerns about the rationale for the emergency declaration, questioning whether Rivers State was truly in crisis.

He reminded Nigerians that in 2013, Tinubu who was then in opposition fiercely criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan’s state of emergency declaration in Borno and Yobe States, even though he did not remove the governors at the time.

Ugochinyere insisted that while peace in Rivers State is necessary, it must be achieved through constitutional means.

“Is there war in Rivers? Are people dying on the streets? Did the President even mention that the governor had called for peace meetings that were ignored? Instead, he unilaterally took action without considering the root cause of the political tensions,” he added.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent. If we allow an elected governor to be suspended today, tomorrow, a president could be suspended under the same guise. I will not support this move, and I believe any true democrat should resist it,” he added.

As the National Assembly prepares to deliberate on the proclamation, the debate is expected to be intense, with lawmakers divided on the legality and implications of the President’s action.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the House spokesperson had in a statement said the president had transmitted the letter on the state of emergency to the House yesterday and that the issue will be discussed at Wednesday plenary, but contrary to his statement the subject was not listed on the order paper.

News

BREAKING! Sole Administrators to manage Rivers LGs

Published

2 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

Sole administrators to be appointed by the state administrator to head each local government area in Rivers state.

Details loading….

News

BREAKING: 2 Female House Members Clash Over State of Emergency in Rivers State

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Ahead of Wednesday plenary session, tension flared in the House of Representatives as two female lawmakers engaged in a heated argument.

Rep. Blessing Amadi (PDP, Rivers State) and Rep. Marie Ebikake (PDP Bayelsa State) were seen raising their voices at each other, with the disagreement linked to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, which led to the suspension of Governor Similayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Naijablitznews.com observed Rep. Ebikake reading aloud from the Nigerian Constitution while Rep. Amadi, appearing visibly agitated, pointed at her colleague in disagreement.

Also in one instance, other lawmakers were seen in groups engaging in heated conversations, and Rep. Kama Nkemkama, a lawmaker from Ebonyi State was seen banging on a table before walking away in frustration

Meanwhile, the President is expected to formally transmit a correspondence to the National Assembly within two days, seeking legislative consent for the emergency rule. The matter is expected to dominate discussions at the plenary session.