Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have directed their attorneys-general to challenge the state of emergency declared in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu.
The governors arrived at the decision at the end of their meeting on Wednesday during which they declared solidarity for Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers.
In a statement signed by Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, they argued that section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution is open to judicial interpretation.
On Tuesday, Tinubu imposed emergency rule in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis in the state.
The president suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy and the house of assembly.
He appointed Ibok-Ette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.
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 Forum reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria, therefore we have resolved to instruct our Attorneys General in the PDP-controlled States 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.”
