Two organizations, the National Union of Ogoni Students International (NUOS INT’L USA) and the Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Anti-Corruption International (CDHRAC INT’L USA), have been against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
They have also condemned the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as the state’s sole administrator, calling the move illegal.
On March 27, 2025, NUOS INT’L President Pius Nwinee and CDHRAC INT’L Coordinator Cornelius Dumerenee, in a communiqué, decried the action and urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara not to be swayed by what they termed “the antics of an iron ruler.”
The state is not at war with itself or any other entity, nor is it facing any external or internal aggression. President Tinubu ought to immediately withdraw the sole administrator and put an end to this selfish, illegal state of emergency,” the statement added.
Wike Blamed for Political Crisis
The factions accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of plotting the political crisis in Rivers State. They alleged that Wike diverted funds allocated to develop Ogoniland in the past and is now using his influence to destabilize the state government.
“What Rivers State people and Governor Siminalayi Fubara are presently undergoing is a politic coup orchestrated by the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and his sycophants,” the release averred.
They continued to rationalize that the declaration of a state of emergency had been issued in conformity with disinformation to remove Governor Fubara from office.
President Tinubu’s Decision Challenged
The statement also disputed President Tinubu’s justification for the declaration of the emergency, saying that there is no viable evidence to warrant such an action.
“Mr. President, your broadcast address to the nation announced that you received intelligence reports to justify such a step. That is wrong. The actual motive is to create disunity, disorder, and instability in Rivers State to remove an elected governor, which is against the rule of law.”
The groups warned that there might be consequences, comparing the injustice to the actions that led to the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni activists. They were also concerned that the state of emergency might be a strategy to seize the resources of Rivers State prior to the 2027 general election.
We regret that through this statement, Mr. President, you have pitted the power of your office against Rivers State and its democratically elected governor. Such an action will make you a party to this political coup.”
The groups added that while the President may declare a state of emergency, he cannot depose an elected governor.
Calls for Wike’s Removal Intensify
They appealed to Governor Fubara not to be cowed but to stand firm and not relinquish his mandate to outside forces.
Rivers Sole Administrator Suspends Officials
And as that, on March 26, the new sole administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political office holders and appointees in the state with immediate effect.
The administrator’s Chief of Staff further stated that the move was taken in exercise of the powers conferred on Ibas by President Tinubu.
With tensions running high, opposition to the state of emergency continues to rise, with the vast majority calling for an end to democracy in Rivers State.
