By Uzair Adam
The Presidency has refuted allegations that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political figures in Rivers State was a power grab, asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took action to prevent the state from plunging into chaos.
In a statement on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the intervention was necessary to restore stability, arguing that waiting for a complete breakdown of governance would have been reckless.
The political turmoil in Rivers State, fueled by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and State House of Assembly members loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had paralyzed governance.
Despite Supreme Court rulings affirming constitutional authority, tensions persisted. Intelligence reports, according to the Presidency, indicated that militants in the creeks were prepared to attack critical oil infrastructure, threatening national economic security.
“Had President Tinubu failed to act, Rivers State could have descended into violence, with lawmakers and vital oil facilities at risk. Schools and hospitals would have shut down, investors would have fled, and the economic consequences would have been severe,” the statement read.
By March 18, the Presidency said, the crisis had escalated beyond political negotiations, making intervention unavoidable. Critics have described the suspension of Governor Fubara and others as undemocratic, but the Presidency insists it was a temporary measure to reset governance, not an attempt to seize power.
“This is not a power grab,” the statement noted.
“The intervention is temporary, aimed at stabilizing governance. The six-month suspension is designed to de-escalate tensions and restore order.”
The Presidency also accused some critics of hypocrisy, noting that many who condemned the President’s decision remained silent on Fubara’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the legislature.
“Democracy cannot function in lawlessness—anarchy is its enemy,” Onanuga stated.
Citing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President the power to act in times of crisis, the statement referenced past emergency rule measures in Plateau and Borno States as precedents for Tinubu’s decision.
“The President swore an oath to safeguard national stability. Rivers State is a vital economic hub, and any political disruption in its oil sector has nationwide consequences,” it added.
With the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator of Rivers State, efforts are already underway to restore peace and governance. One of his first steps was engaging traditional leaders to find lasting solutions.
The Presidency assured Nigerians that the emergency measures would be lifted once normalcy returns, allowing elected officials to resume their duties.
Defending Tinubu’s decision, the statement quoted philosopher Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”