Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians should stand up and defend the country’s democracy by resisting the state of emergency declared in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu. 

The former vice-president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a press conference of concerned political leaders.

He said it is not only the responsibility of the opposition parties to defend democracy but the duty of everyone to reject the “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.

On Tuesday, Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis in the state.

The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers, his deputy and the state house of assembly.

He also appointed a sole administrator for the state.

Abubakar said Tinubu must immediately reverse the emergency rule and reinstate the governor, his deputy and the house of assembly.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly of Rivers state,” he said.

“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.

“We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.

“We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.

“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action, by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country.

“The historical unrest in the Niger Delta should not be forgotten so soon. Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.

“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”

In attendance at the press briefing were Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo, among others.

The south-south governors’ forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to rescind his emergency rule declaration in Rivers state. 

In a statement, the group argued that the political crisis in the state does not justify the proclamation of a state of emergency.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers over the protracted crisis.

He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the house of assembly.

In a statement signed by Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa and forum chairman, the governors said the suspension of elected officials in Rivers was a drastic measure.

They acknowledged the constitutional role of the president in maintaining law and order but implored that the constitutional role of governors to ensure peace and stability in their states be respected.

“The south-south Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers state does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended),” the statement reads.

“This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.”

The forum said the constitution provides clear procedures for the removal of elected officials.

“It is also worth noting that the constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the house of assembly and the dissolution of parliament. In the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered,” they added.

“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the governor and the house of assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”

The governors proposed an immediate end to the emergency rule as a step towards lasting peace and called on all parties to respect the constitution.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is wrong to have suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

Recalls that in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspended all elected officials for six months.

Reacting in a statement he personally released on Wednesday night, El-Rufai pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution does not support the suspension of a governor by the president.

According to him, it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level.

The former governor said a state of emergency could surely have been proclaimed to grant the relevant security agencies the extraordinary powers and necessary resources to enable them to address insecurity in Rivers but extending such an emergency regime to include the dismantling of democratic structures is a wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law.

El-Rufai’s statement read: “There are things that are so clearly wrong that the justifications summoned in their defence fall flat. The decision of Mr. President to suspend the elected officials of the Rivers State Government is one of those. Our country’s Constitution does not support it precisely because it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level. The responsibilities of a president are heavy and extensive, but they are constrained by the Constitution and the law and certainly do not include firing persons who were elected.

“The security issues cited in the President’s speech surely deserve the most serious attention and sustained efforts to contain the threats and preserve vital national infrastructure. That is a duty that we ought to vigorously support the security agencies to successfully discharge. A state of emergency could surely have been proclaimed to grant the relevant security agencies the extraordinary powers and necessary resources to enable them to address the problem. Extending the provisions of such an emergency regime to include the dismantling of democratic structures is a wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law. The Supreme Court has conclusively declared the suspension of elected officials unlawful in the Dariye vs.Attorney General of the Federation.

“It is my view that Mr. President should review this decision and return to the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law. As an opposition figure, Senator Bola Tinubu had made his voice heard against the decision of then President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the North-East, even when that decision did not extend to the suspension of elected officials and institutions. A similar reconsideration is warranted in this case to contain the damage done to the people of Rivers State, and restore the Federal Government to compliance with the Constitution.

“Let us not keep silent while the slippery slope of replicating the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962 unfold before our very eyes. I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to join in calling an end to this gross violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law.”

President Bola Tinubu is facing an uphill battle in his bid to secure two-thirds majority in the national assembly to approve his declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state, TheCable can report.

On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the south-south state, citing the protracted political crisis.

The president controversially suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house assembly members for six months.

Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral and former chief of naval staff, as the administrator.

For the emergency rule to take effect, section 305 (2) of the constitution states that the president must transmit the proclamation to the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives.

There is a raging debate on where the president derived the power to suspend an elected governor from as this is not expressly provided for in the 1999 constitution.

There is also no provision for the appointment of an administrator in the constitution, although President Olusegun Obasanjo set the disputed precedent.

TWO-THIRDS ROADBLOCK

Section 305 (6) stipulates that a “proclamation issued by the President under this section shall cease to have effect (b) if it affects the Federation or any part thereof and within two days when the National Assembly is in session, or within ten days when the National Assembly is not in session, after its publication, there is no resolution supported by two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the proclamation.”

With 360 members in the green chamber and 109 in the red chamber, Tinubu needs at least 240 votes in the house of reps and 73 in the senate for his proclamation to stand.

On the contrary, it takes only 36 senators to defeat the proclamation.

Even if the senate passes it, 121 reps can vote it down.

Sources in the national assembly told TheCable that the president’s foot soldiers are struggling to get the numbers.

Owing to the insufficient numbers, the senate on Wednesday deferred the motion to Thursday.

Sources say many lawmakers remain unconvinced about the necessity and legality of Tinubu’s action which they believe could set a dangerous precedent.

An insider said lawmakers are divided along party lines, with opposition members and even some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wary of endorsing the emergency rule.

If the president fails to secure the two-thirds majority in both chambers to approve the emergency rule by Thursday as stipulated in the constitution, Tinubu will be forced to revoke his proclamation, effectively restoring Fubara and his administration.

QUORUM QUAGMIRE

Another major challenge, some lawmakers told TheCable, is that both the senate and house of reps are struggling to form a quorum because many members are out of the country.

A significant number of the lawmakers are in Saudi Arabia observing the lesser hajj and Ramadan fasting.

The quorum for senate is 37 while that of the house is 120.

“Even if we manage to form a quorum, the constitution says the vote shall involve all members — meaning 109 in the senate and 360 in the house,” a member of the house of reps told TheCable.

The leaders of the national assembly were collecting signatures on Wednesday night so that members can vote in absentia — but some lawmakers have pointed out that it will be unconstitutional.

Section 305 (2) of the 1999 constitution stipulates that president of the senate and the speaker of the house shall “convene” or “arrange for a meeting” to consider the situation “and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”.

“There is no provision for absentee or WhatsApp voting,” a senator told TheCable on Wednesday night.

“Every member will stand up and declare if they are in support of or against the declaration of the state of emergency.”

‘A BIG MISCALCULATION’

An APC senator told TheCable that the president did not do his homework before declaring the state of emergency “and he has now put us in a difficult situation”.

The constitution stipulates in subsection 6 that for the proclamation to have effect, it must be approved within two days if the national assembly is in session — or ten days if it is not.

“We had adjourned till Wednesday when the president made the announcement, so automatically we are in session and that means we have to vote within two days, latest Thursday,” he said.

“If he had co-ordinated well with us, we would have adjourned indefinitely before the proclamation — and that means we would have had 10 days to get our act together and gather the numbers.”

On Tuesday night, after the president declared the emergency rule, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, said Tinubu consulted the national assembly before the announcement.

Rotimi added that Tinubu’s letter informing the house of representatives of his decision, and seeking approval on the state of emergency in Rivers in line with section 305 of the constitution, has been transmitted to the green chamber and would be read during plenary on Wednesday for further legislative action.

However, the letter was not read on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday.

The senate stepped down a motion for the consideration of the emergency rule during Wednesday’s plenary.

The motion, listed as the first item for discussion, was put on hold before any debate could take place.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira.

The refinery announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday.

The development comes a few hours after TheCable reported that the refinery would stop loading petroleum products for the Nigerian market as the renegotiation of the naira-for-crude deal is not recording significant progress.

Sources had told the publication the refinery would continue to load for export as it currently sources all its crude stock from the international market in dollars.

In the statement, the refinery said the decision to halt sales in naira was “necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars”.

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received,” the statement reads.

“As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency.”

The refinery also debunked claims that the temporary suspension was due to ticketing frauds, saying they are “malicious”.

The firm, however, assured that sales would resume in naira as soon as they receive crude supply in naira from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

“Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud,” Dangote refinery said.

“This is a malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.

“We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably.

“As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira.”

On March 10, TheCable reported that the NNPC had suspended the naira-for-crude deal until 2030, as the government-owned company has forward-sold all its crude oil.

However, following the report, the NNPC said negotiations are ongoing for a new naira-for-crude deal with the refinery, as the current agreement will expire at the end of March.

Zaach Adedeji, chairman of the naira-for-crude policy technical sub-committee, reassured that the naira-based crude oil supply arrangement with local refineries has not been discontinued.

Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira on October 1, 2024, after the federal executive council (FEC) approved a proposal by President Bola Tinubu directing the NNPC to sell crude oil to Dangote refinery and other refineries in the local currency.

However, in November last year, the refinery said the crude-for-naira initiative was faltering, as it was still unable to secure adequate supplies.

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly sworn-in sole administrator of Rivers, says he will work with all stakeholders to ensure that peace and stability is restored in the state.

Ibas, a retired vice admiral, was sworn in as the sole administrator of Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

His swearing-in follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by Tinubu, and further suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and members of the state’s legislature.

Rivers state has been embroiled in a protracted political crisis due to power struggle between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), over control of the political structure of the state.

Speaking on Wednesday shortly after his swearing-in, Ibas said Tinubu has spelt out his assignment in Rivers.

“First of all, I think we know the circumstances that led to where we are here,” he said.

“Mr. President made it very clear in his broadcast that the main issue is maintaining law and order in the state.

“I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers state, the utmost task is that I will have to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order and security and stability to the people and government of Rivers state and Nigeria at large.”

Meanwhile, the senate has postponed a decision on approving the declaration of a state of emergency in the state until Thursday, after a rowdy session in the

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has refuted reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State urging the media and the public to disregard the report.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The company clarified that what occurred was a flare incident, which has since been fully contained.

“There is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities,

or the environment,” the statement said.

NNPC Ltd, in the statement urged the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, maintaining that they are entirely false.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the rumoured explosion at the Port Harcourt Refinery was fueled by the explosion that rocked a major oil pipeline, the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), at Bodo, Gokana local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday.

Hours after, another explosion occurred at an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state, sending concerns about likely militant attack on oil facilities in the height of political development in the state

A group, Action Collective, has raised the alarm over what it called a desperate plan to compile fictitious names of constituents in Kogi Central senatorial district of Kogi State purportedly seeking for the recall of the lawmaker representing the zone in the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Kogi Central-based pressure group, which made the revelation public on Wednesday, said it uncovered the alleged plan. 

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is presently serving a six-month suspension slammed on her over alleged misconduct and disregard for Senate rules.

Prior to the Senate suspension, the Kogi Central Senator had also accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment and frustration of her legislative efforts to represent her constituents.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, signed by its coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the group said intelligence also revealed that allies of those fighting Senator Natasha in the Nigerian Senate were behind the plot to carry the fake recall exercise.

According to the group, findings revealed that the latest move was considered by Senator Natasha’s traducers as ‘nailing the coffin’ to prevent her from seeking justice which she is currently pursuing both in Nigeria and from the international community.

“We gathered reliably that a former governor in Kogi state has been contacted to carry out this evil plan. We also have an information that some ally INEC staff have also been recruited to commence the recall of Senator Natasha.

“This project which is said to gulped over two million dollars, will involve the recruitment of faceless persons from the various local government areas in Kogi State who would be paid to append false signatures on the purported recall paper,” the group alleged.

The statement also alleged that some highly placed staff of INEC have been paid huge sums of money to carry out and endorse the plan, adding, “that is why it is important to alert the public especially the civil society and Human Rights Activists including the Media, who are the watchdog of the society as well as the security agencies to remain vigilant and subject such documents regarding the planned recall to proper scrutining. A stitch in time saves nine!.”

The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, has condemned the President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and a direct assault on democracy.

In a joint statement signed by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC president Comrade Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, the Labour Centres criticised the action, stating that it blatantly violates part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermined the principles of democratic governance. 

The two labour leaders warned that such actions erode constitutional governance and create instability, adding that no democratic society can thrive when elected officials are removed arbitrarily.

Both NLC and TUC demanded that President Tinubu immediately revoke the state of emergency in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining such measures.

They cautioned that the decision could have far-reaching consequences, including undermining national security, economic stability, and Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Apart from the political implications highlighted by the labour centres, the two congresses also warned that the declaration would have severe socio-economic consequences for workers and businesses in Rivers State.

The statement read in parts, “The purported suspension or removal of the governor , deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy.

“It sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments.

“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President. This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.

“We, therefore, call on Mr. President to revoke this unconstitutional declaration in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which clearly outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining a state of emergency.

“The President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion.

“The labour movement will not remain silent while the livelihoods of workers and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians are threatened by political machinations.

“Given his storied background in political struggle, we urge Mr. President not to betray his democratic credentials by engaging in actions reminiscent of military-era authoritarianism.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Alhaji Sirajo Mohammed Jaja, the accountant-general of Bauchi State for alleged N70billion fraud.

LEADERSHIP investigation showed that he was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator, and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator. 

They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and missapropriation to the tune of N70billion.

It is noteworthy that the commission was also investigating the governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, regarding the matter.

Already, investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59 billion had been made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the accountant-general on behalf of the state government.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the money was moved to Abubakar and Sambo, who in turn made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor.

Also, it was discovered that the BDC operator Abubakar earlier jumped bail and has now been rearrested.

When contacted on the development, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests