Port harcourt: Some stakeholders in Rivers politics have expressed divergent views on the six-month emergency rule in the state, with some describing it as ineffective while others said it restored peace.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, declared a state of emergency on Rivers due to a heightened political crisis. The crisis arose from a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political mentor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, over control of state political resources.
The President suspended Fubara and members of the Rivers House of Assembly, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibom-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state. Analysing the impact of the emergency rule, Mr. Egele Bright, a Peoples Democratic Party Chieftain in Andoni Local Government Area, said that Ibas restored peace to the state. Bright stated that Ibas politically stabilised the state and reduced tension, which was not present before the emergency rule. He noted that the smooth conduct of local government council elections and the swearing-in of chairmen and councillors across the 23 LGAs have also driven political stability to the grassroots.
In contrast, Mr. Henry Ekini, National Legal Adviser of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, described the emergency rule as avoidable. He argued that the administrator had no mandate from the people and did not deliver on welfare and infrastructure. Ms. Annkio Briggs, a Niger Delta activist, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Ibas did not implement key projects such as Trans-Kalabari Road and coastal bridges. She said that the emergency rule denied the citizens elected leadership and undermined human capital development.
On Fubara’s reinstatement, Briggs expressed concerns since the National Assembly was on recess. Comrade Savior Oscar, President of the South-South Youths Initiative, a civil society group, called for an investigation into the six-month administration of Ibas. Oscar mentioned that Ibas conducted local government elections in the state, which were criticised by many Nigerians. He added that the emergency rule negatively affected socio-economic activities in Rivers.
A lawyer, Mr. Ambrose Igwe, voiced dissatisfaction that Ibas could not unveil those behind crude oil pipeline explosions, which portrayed the state as unsafe. Meanwhile, Prof. Daniel Mbee, Director of the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, urged Rivers residents to focus on the development of the state. He stated that Ibas had done his part, although Rivers had stagnated compared to states such as Lagos.
Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the State Government, announced the commencement of the state’s transition from emergency rule to democratic governance. He mentioned an inter-denominational church thanksgiving as part of the transition activities. Commenting on the planned transition, a lawyer, Mr. Gogonte Obadiah, noted that the state of emergency was expected to last for an initial period of six months, which would elapse on Sept. 18.
Mr. Neo Wilcox, a Port Harcourt resident, said that personal or collective interests were expected to play out upon Fubara’s reinstatement, urging a common ground and necessary compromise in the interest of the state.
