PDP, Govs Threaten Legal Action After Fubara’s Suspension

There have been widespread condemnations over the decision of the president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and consequently sack the elected governor, Sim Fubara.

Apart from the PDP as a political party, governors elected under its banner have also chastised the president for the decision and have declared solidarity with their colleague.

The PDP Governors’ Forum said in a statement that the president did not handle the Rivers crisis properly, hence its escalation. They said the declaration of state of emergency was unwarranted and urged Tinubu to rescind the decision.

“The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum ( PDPGF) notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.

“We stand in solidarity with  His Excellency , Governor 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. There is no other time that our philosophy of “TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL” is more apt than now.

“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President , your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive.

“We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country,  Nigeria and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good. It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard won democracy, but will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and our national cohesion and stability.”

The governors made reference to the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which rejected the emergency declaration and suspension of the governor and added that the NBA “in it’s response signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has already  expressed grave concern about 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 NBA affirmed their commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. In their words, “A state of emergency is an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits. The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

 “The Forum completely aligns itself with the NBA and promises to subject Section 305 (3) of the Constitution to judicial interpretation. This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand.”