Expanded News Story: Rivers State Government Denies Summons of Suspended Governor Fubara
PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Government has dismissed claims that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu were summoned by Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), describing the reports as a “coordinated misinformation campaign” aimed at destabilizing the state. The denial comes amid escalating legal and political tensions following President Bola Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Key Developments
- State of Emergency Declaration:
President Tinubu suspended Fubara, Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months, citing constitutional breaches, including Fubara’s demolition of the State House of Assembly (December 2023) and failure to pass an Appropriation Bill. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Fubara’s actions rendered Rivers State “without a functional government” under the 1999 Constitution.- Security Justification: Tinubu cited “alarming security reports,” including pipeline vandalism by militants allegedly ignored by Fubara. A March 2025 explosion at the Trans-Niger Pipeline caused significant economic losses (~$14 million daily).
- Sole Administrator Appointed: Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was tasked with restoring order and governance.
- Legal Challenges:
- PDP Governors’ Lawsuit: Governors from Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and other PDP states are challenging Tinubu’s emergency declaration at the Supreme Court, arguing it violates Section 305 of the Constitution. They claim the move aims to enforce “state capture” by Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Fubara’s Court Case: Former Rep. Farah Dagogo filed a lawsuit challenging Fubara’s suspension, with a hearing set for May 12, 2025[^user-provided].
- Political Fallout:
- Fubara’s Public Appearance: The suspended governor attended a church service on March 23, 2025, asserting that “good governance persists” in Rivers State despite the crisis[^user-provided].
- Ethnic Tensions: Analysts warn Tinubu’s intervention risks inflaming Niger Delta militancy, particularly among Ijaw groups, who view Fubara’s suspension as an attack on their political influence.
Government’s Denial of Summons
The Rivers State Government’s Special Services Bureau debunked viral reports of Fubara’s summons, stating:
“No such communication was issued. This is the handiwork of troublemakers exploiting the political climate to incite panic”[^user-provided].
The government urged residents to rely on official channels and avoid unverified social media claims.
Reactions and Analysis
- Opposition Criticism:
- The PDP called Tinubu’s emergency declaration “unconstitutional,” accusing the APC of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
- Peter Obi (Labour Party) labeled the move “reckless,” warning it undermines democracy.
- Legal Experts: The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) argued that suspending elected officials exceeds presidential powers under Section 305, which authorizes emergencies but not removal of state executives.
- Public Sentiment: Many residents fear prolonged instability, with reports of police clamping down on protests supporting Fubara.
Why This Matters
The crisis highlights Nigeria’s fragile federal structure and recurring governor-godfather conflicts (e.g., Fubara vs. former Governor Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister). It also exposes vulnerabilities in the oil sector, where militancy and political disputes threaten production.
