The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and destabilizes the Niger Delta.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, PANDEF described the President’s action as a “betrayal” of the region, particularly given recent peace efforts led by prominent South-South leaders.
The declaration, announced on March 18, 2025, resulted in the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, and the State House of Assembly. PANDEF argues that the move was not only unnecessary but also politically motivated, raising concerns about the impartiality of the Federal Government in the ongoing crisis in the state.
A Sudden Shift in Government Stance
PANDEF’s communiqué highlights that barely a week before the declaration, President Tinubu had hosted a high-profile South-South delegation at the Presidential Villa, where he commended PANDEF’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee, led by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah. The President had encouraged the committee to continue its mediation efforts and ensure the Rivers State Governor complied with a Supreme Court ruling directing him to present the 2025 budget to the House of Assembly.
Despite these assurances, PANDEF noted that the political crisis escalated shortly after the meeting. On March 12, 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike—widely seen as a central figure in the Rivers State conflict—made disparaging remarks about PANDEF and its leadership. The communiqué expressed disappointment that the Presidency failed to address or caution Wike’s comments.
On March 13, Governor Fubara formally wrote to the State House of Assembly, expressing his readiness to present the budget as instructed. However, the Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to Wike, abruptly adjourned indefinitely the following day. Shortly thereafter, impeachment proceedings were initiated against the Governor and his Deputy.
In response to these developments, PANDEF said it formally wrote to President Tinubu on March 17, 2025, urging him to intervene and ensure adherence to his directives. Instead, the next day, the President imposed a State of Emergency, effectively removing the elected leadership of the state.
Contradictions and Selective Enforcement
PANDEF’s communiqué questioned the justification for the emergency rule, arguing that security concerns—cited by the Presidency, particularly a recent pipeline explosion—did not warrant such drastic measures.
“This is not the first time a pipeline explosion has occurred in Nigeria, even under this administration,” the communiqué stated. “Why militarize Rivers State before investigations have even determined the cause of the incident?”
The group pointed out that several states in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions have faced persistent security threats, including terrorist attacks, yet no state of emergency has been declared in those areas. PANDEF also noted that the timing of the move was suspicious, as it coincided with an ongoing legal battle at the Court of Appeal over the status of 27 lawmakers who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The matter was also being heard by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, raising concerns that the executive action preempted judicial proceedings.
A Call to Action for the National Assembly
PANDEF urged the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, to reject what it described as an unconstitutional power grab.
“The National Assembly must show courage and stand on the side of democracy,” the communiqué declared. “This onslaught on democratic governance must not be allowed to stand.”
Despite the escalating tensions, PANDEF reaffirmed its commitment to peace and dialogue, vowing to continue working with all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to resolve the crisis. However, the group made it clear that it would explore all constitutional and legal avenues to challenge what it sees as an undemocratic intervention in Rivers State governance.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Precedent?
The declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, PANDEF warned, sets a troubling precedent for Nigerian democracy. The group recalled that in 2013, then-opposition leader Tinubu had strongly criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan for imposing a similar measure in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa without removing their governors—yet now, as President, he had taken an even more extreme step.
“The Niger Delta will not accept this betrayal,” PANDEF’s communiqué concluded. “We will stand firm in defense of democracy, justice, and the rights of our people.”
As the political situation in Rivers State unfolds, all eyes will be on the National Assembly, the judiciary, and the broader Nigerian public to determine whether this declaration will stand—or whether it will mark the beginning of a broader constitutional crisis in Africa’s largest democracy.
Dr. Imran Khazaly
Headlinenews.news
