Rivers Elders, Leaders Forum and Concerned Civil Society Organisations in the state, like other socio cultural groups and professional organisations have condemned the unconstitutional, undemocratic and uncivilised invasion of Rivers state, attributing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broadcast to the product of misinformation about happenings in the state.
The elders and the coalition of Concern CSOs at different press briefings in Port Harcourt, described the portrayal of His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara as non compliant to conflict resolutions and absolving the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike of any blame in the quagmire that gripped the state as unfair.
The declaration of state of emergency in Rivers state by President Tinubu on Tuesday 18th March 2025, came to many including Rivers elders and leadership forum as a huge surprise because the reasons adduced for the decision were very strange and inconsistent
with section 305(3) of the constitution.
The elders led by former Governor of Rivers state, Rufus Ada- George also expressed displeasure at Mr. President’s broadcast that there was no government in the state at the time despite the progress in governance and back and forth communication between the suspended governor and the lawmakers for budget presentation.
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They also expressed concerns that Governor Fubara, who had made efforts to implement both political and judicial verdicts for peace to reign and the lawmakers were singled out for disciplinary sanctions while the FCT minister despite his avalanche of inflammatory statements was left off the hook.
In a similar development, the Concerned Civil Society Organisations in Rivers state, alleged that Mr. President acted in bad faith, giving presidential backing to Nyesom Wike to use the Amaewhule led assembly to frustrate Governor Fubara’s effort to re-present the 2025 budget amongst other things.
The Concerned CSOs, applauded Rivers people for not taking laws into their hands and promised to seek legal redress on the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy and others.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
