Political leaders, particularly governors from Nigeria’s South-South region, are working to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Dockaysworld gathered that their goal is to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state lawmakers, following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency.
Recall that on March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to a breakdown of governance caused by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and the state legislature.
Additionally, there were reports of attacks on oil facilities.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire state House of Assembly.
He then appointed a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state. The President justified his decision using Section 305 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, some political stakeholders criticized the move, arguing that it could lead to authoritarian rule.
Sources from the Presidency explained that the emergency rule was only a temporary measure to ease tensions and encourage dialogue between the conflicting parties.
They confirmed that governors from the South-South region and members of the National Assembly are actively working on a reconciliation plan.
A mediating panel may also be set up, as requested by the National Assembly, to help resolve the dispute. “The emergency rule is meant to calm things down and provide time for dialogue,” one source stated.
The newly appointed sole administrator, Ibok-Ette Ibas, has also been given the responsibility of stabilizing the state and encouraging reconciliation between the warring factions.
The House of Representatives is planning to establish a special committee to oversee the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese confirmed that Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and other House leaders are working on a resolution and will make an official announcement soon.
The House had earlier raised concerns about President Tinubu’s decision to make the sole administrator report directly to the Federal Executive Council, arguing that the President’s use of Section 305 of the Constitution should not override Section 11, which allows the National Assembly to take over legislative duties when a state assembly is unable to function.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who played a key role in Fubara’s election, has distanced himself from the crisis.
His aide, Lere Olayinka, stated that Wike is open to discussions aimed at restoring peace but insisted that Fubara should have followed the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Addressing calls for Wike’s removal from Tinubu’s cabinet, Olayinka dismissed them, saying people were free to express their opinions, even if they were unfounded.
He denied allegations that Wike was behind the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly or other acts of political sabotage.
Since his suspension, Governor Fubara had been absent from public view, sparking concerns about his whereabouts.
On Sunday, however, he appeared at a church service at Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt. He was accompanied by top political figures and state elders.
His Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, confirmed that Fubara attended the service to express gratitude to God amid the ongoing political turmoil.
In a separate development, a gas pipeline explosion occurred on Sunday morning along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji Right of Way in Rivers State.
Initial reports suggested it happened at the Soku Gas Plant operated by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, but local authorities later refuted this claim.
A viral video showed flames and thick smoke rising from the explosion site. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre stated that the cause of the explosion was unknown at the time.
