Breaking: PDP Governors Speak Out on Fubara’s Suspension, Rivers Crisis

The decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has drawn criticism from the Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governors characterized the action as damaging to democracy, unfair, and polarizing.
President Tinubu declared the emergency in a national speech on Tuesday night, stating that law and order had to be restored. All elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, together with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu, were suspended for six months as a result of this judgment.
The state’s government was taken over by retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as part of Tinubu’s emergency measures.

In response, a statement voicing profound worry over the political crisis in Rivers was issued on Wednesday by the PDP Governors’ Forum, which is headed by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. Instead of addressing the issue, the forum charged Tinubu of making it worse.

The governors also took issue with Tinubu’s failure to confront Nyesom Wike’s involvement in the situation as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They contended that because the president did nothing, Wike had been free to act without repercussions.

While expressing solidarity for Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State, the forum cautioned that halting democratic government is a risky decision that could jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy and stability.

The group issued the following statement: “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.”

“Today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria, is this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party, and other opposition parties. It is an ill wind that will benefit no one,” the statement continued.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had expressed reservations about the suspension of elected officials, the governors added. The NBA emphasized the need to adhere to constitutional requirements under a state of emergency.

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While acknowledging the NBA’s stance, the PDP Governors’ Forum cautioned that Tinubu’s choice was inappropriate and unconstitutional.

“The Forum pledges to interpret Section 305(3) of the Constitution in a judicial manner and fully supports the NBA. “This authoritarian behavior is intolerable and cannot continue,” the statement continued.