By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
The Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that the move is necessary to protect national assets and restore order.
Chairman of the caucus, Hon. Ado Doguwa, in a statement issued in Abuja, dismissed concerns raised by opposition figures, calling them politically motivated distractions. He insisted that the federal government could not sit idly by while “miscreants and politically sponsored elements” put Nigeria’s economy at risk.
“We, as a legislative institution, will not allow Mr. President’s constitutional declaration of emergency to fail,” Doguwa said. “The opposition is simply playing politics with a critical national security issue. While we acknowledge the constitutional implications, we cannot ignore the lawlessness in Rivers State.”
The lawmaker accused suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of working with external forces to destabilize the state and endanger vital oil infrastructure. He emphasized that such actions could have devastating consequences on Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
“In view of the ongoing crisis, we are compelled to state clearly that the steps taken by Mr. President are timely and constitutionally appropriate,” Doguwa asserted.
He also took a swipe at the Coalition of Opposition Political Leaders, urging them to prioritize national stability over partisan interests.
“Nigeria is greater than any selfish coalition and its conspiracies,” he said. “The constitutional proclamation of emergency in Rivers State must stand.”
The federal government’s intervention follows weeks of political unrest in Rivers, where tensions between opposing factions have continued to rise. Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule, which includes suspending the governor and the state legislature, has sparked legal and political debates, with critics arguing that it undermines democratic principles.
The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the suspension of elected officials, describing it as unconstitutional. However, supporters of the move insist that it is necessary to prevent further economic sabotage and restore order in the oil-rich state.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on how the federal government will navigate the legal and political complexities surrounding its decision while ensuring stability in Rivers State.