Rivers State OF Emergency: Senator Ndume Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm Amid Tensions

Following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly, Ndume urged the public to remain patient. This decision was met with criticism from the South-South Governors Forum, opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and political leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Despite calls from many in Rivers State for the National Assembly to overturn the President’s actions, both the House of Representatives and the Senate ratified the declaration and upheld the suspension of Fubara and his officials.

The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has contested the legality of the President’s move, asserting that the Constitution clearly defines the process for removing a governor.

In a statement on his account on Friday, Senator Ndume urged Nigerians to have faith in the nation’s institutions and to work toward peace and stability.

“Fellow Nigerians, in times of political tension, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We must stay calm and uphold democracy amid the Rivers State crisis. Let’s trust our institutions and work for peace, unity, and stability,” he wrote.