By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
The ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State has taken a new turn as governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vowed to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in court.
The governors, under the PDP Governors’ Forum, described the move as a direct assault on democracy and an unconstitutional overreach.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a breakdown of law and order. The proclamation led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. In their place, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the interim administrator of the state.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, swiftly condemned the action, arguing that it undermines democratic institutions and sets a dangerous precedent.
“This is a calculated attack on democracy and an affront to the people of Rivers State,” Governor Mohammed stated. “If this action is allowed to stand, no state is safe from similar arbitrary takeovers in the future.”
The governors also took aim at Tinubu’s perceived inaction regarding the role of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the Rivers political crisis. They accused the president of selectively intervening in the conflict while ignoring Wike’s alleged interference in the state’s affairs.
“Rather than restoring peace, the president’s action has further deepened the crisis. It is a clear case of using executive power to suppress opposition,” the forum added in a statement.
Legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have also voiced concerns over the legality of the emergency declaration.
The NBA cited Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared. The association warned that any action bypassing constitutional guidelines would amount to an abuse of power.
The PDP governors have vowed to take legal action, insisting that the matter must be settled in court to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“We stand with Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State. This unconstitutional suspension of an elected government will not be allowed to stand,” the forum declared.
As political tensions escalate, the court battle over Rivers State’s governance is expected to shape the future of democratic governance in Nigeria.