Mixed reactions trail end of Rivers emergency rule

…Fubara returning as a conquered man, says CUPP

…Governance likely to suffer, warns Okorie

By John Alechenu, Abuja

Civil society groups and opposition parties have expressed mixed feelings over the state of democracy in Rivers State as the six-month emergency rule imposed by the Federal Government expires on Friday.

President Bola Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers following a prolonged political crisis between the immediate past governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

During the period, Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly were suspended from office, while Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) was appointed sole administrator for six months. With the measure set to end, indications are strong that the governor and lawmakers may soon be reinstated.

“Fubara is returning as a conquered man”

National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, said he did not expect much from Fubara’s return.

According to him, “The governor unfortunately has surrendered to federal might. He is now surrounded by persons whose loyalty is to Wike and the Abuja cabal. Democracy has been given a bloody nose, and Rivers people have been cowed into submission.”

Ameh, also a Labour Party chieftain, lamented that institutions of the federal government were used to perpetuate illegality, including questionable local government elections under military supervision.

Okorie: Governance will suffer

Similarly, founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said Rivers people remain the victims of the crisis.

He argued: “Governance is bound to suffer because the governor gave up virtually everything in the course of negotiations. For now, he is ready to do anything Wike and the President want, even if it doesn’t benefit the people.

“Throughout this episode, Fubara did not assert himself as an elected governor. Compare him with President Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos — Tinubu stood up to Obasanjo and thrived. Maybe Fubara will find his voice as elections approach, perhaps even in another party, to leave a legacy.”

Commentator: Emergency rule was unnecessary

Public affairs analyst Israel Edache described the emergency rule as unnecessary, saying it was a product of political godfatherism.

“The measure was imposed not because of unrest but because a godfather felt his political structure was being dismantled. It is a sad reminder that politicians have learnt little from our history,” he said.

Edache expressed doubt about improvements in governance upon Fubara’s return, noting: “I will be glad if he proves me wrong. Only God knows what became of the Nigerian Bar Association’s case against the emergency rule.”

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