By Philomina Brando
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) state governors have instructed their Attorneys General to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
This decision was made after a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, where the governors expressed their solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State.
Read Also: Breaking: Rivers State Under Emergency Rule, Tinubu Suspends Governor, Deputy, Lawmakers
In a communiqué signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, the PDP governors stated, “The Forum employed the occasion to review the unfortunate proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, March 18, 2025; and frowned at the purported suspension by the President of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and the Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The governors reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. They resolved to instruct their Attorneys General to challenge Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended and subject it to judicial interpretation.
“The Forum stands in solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history,” the governors said.
Rivers State has faced political turmoil for nearly two years, with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, competing for power, resulting in a governance impasse. In response, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on Tuesday evening, calling for order and suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state assembly for six months.
The PDP governors’ decision to challenge the declaration of a state of emergency is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.