A Nigerian lawyer, Kenneth A. Amadi, Esq. has in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu requested for the withdrawal of heavily armed soldiers that have allegedly prevented Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family from moving their belongings out of the government house.

Part of the 19th March 2025 letter reads:

REQUEST FOR URGENT INTERVENTION TO ORDER IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE ARMED FORCES AND OTHER SECURITY PERSONNEL THAT ARE SUBJECTING HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR FUBARA TO ILLEGAL IMPRISONMENT AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999.

We write to bring to your attention the current situation reported by an online newspaper as follows: “Heavily Armed Soldiers hold Fubara, Family Hostage at Rivers Governor House https://newsmediang.com/heavily-armed-soldiers-hold-fubara-family-hostage-at-rivers-governor-house/”

We respectfully request your immediate intervention by way of immediate withdrawal of the said armed forces and security personnel.

TAKE NOTICE THAT AS BOTH CONSTITUENTS AND SOME OF US ARE STAFF OF THE RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF SAID STAFF AND THE SAID GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE WHOM WE ELECTED ARE BEING IMPEDED WITHOUT COMPLIANCE WITH A VALID ORDER OF COURT, THEREFORE WE SHALL UNDERTAKE LITIGATION TO PRESS HOME OUR DEMANDS IF YOU FAIL TO INTERVENE WITHIN TWO HOURS OF THIS LETTER.

Yours faithfully,
Kenneth A. Amadi, Esq.

The governor and his family according to 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑮𝒂𝒛𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆 have been held hostage at the Government House, Port-Harcourt, by a contingent of heavily armed soldiers since Tuesday night.

The development comes moments after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers. The Nigerian leader based his controversial move on a prolonged and rapidly escalating political feud led by state lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Nyesom Wike.

Rivers government sources said that soldiers carrying out the president’s instructions on declaring the state of emergency barricaded all entrances and exits to the government house immediately after the president’s speech.

Attempts by Mr Fubara and his family to pack their belongings out of the Government House have been rebuffed by the soldiers, who suppressed all movements around the premises.

“We are being held hostage,” an affected official told 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒛𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆 from the scene on Tuesday night. “They said they don’t have instruction to let anyone leave the premises.”

It was unclear whether the soldiers implemented their duties as instructed or were overzealous in following specific orders.

Spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the soldiers’ treatment of the Fubaras.

President Tinubu’s declaration to suspend the feuding parties from office for six months, effective Tuesday, sparked furious debates across social media as netizens argued whether the president had constitutional grounds to suspend an elected governor whom the state lawmakers have not yet impeached. Efforts to impeach Fubara began on Monday, barely 24 hours before  Tinubu imposed an emergency ordinance.

Lawyers like Inibehe Effiong and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana have excoriated the president for taking the law into his own hands without regard for the Constitution’s position.

The president named the retired chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the military administrator in Rivers in the interim.

Their effort to reunite with their father after arriving in Abuja on 11 March 2025 was aborted by men of the underworld who took all they had.

Abraham and Ephraim Chukwu arrived in Nigeria from Gabon via Lagos on March 9, 2025, and proceeded to Abuja on March 11, 2025, intending to reunite with their father, who resides in the Nyanya area of Abuja.

On account of the unfortunate incident, the FCT Police Command seeks the assistance of the general public in locating Mr. Arinze Chukwu, the father of Abraham and Ephraim Chukwu.

A statement signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO ), SP Josephine Adeh ANIPR disclosed that the duo lost their belongings and mobile phones on their way, making it impossible to contact their father.

“The Police urge well-meaning members of the public, especially the Igbo community, to provide any useful information about his whereabouts. Please report to the nearest police station or call the FCT PPRO on 07038979348 or 08180382808,” the PPRO said.

The decision of President Bola Tinubu to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months is illegal as it cannot be justified under any of the provisions of the 320 sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

No doubt, Section 305 of the Constitution empowers the President to take extraordinary measures to restore law and order if, among other reasons, there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security or there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger.

But, the extraordinary measures which may be adopted by the President to restore peace and security in the Federation or in any particular State does not include the suspension of an elected Governor, an elected Deputy Governor and the dissolution of other democratic structures. For the avoidance of doubt, section 45(3) of the Constitution provides that a ‘period of emergency’ means “any period during which there is in force a Proclamation of a state of emergency declared by the President in exercise of the powers conferred on him under section 305 of this Constitution.”

Thus, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the office of an elected governor can only become vacant upon death, ill health, resignation, or impeachment. Even where the office of the Governor becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Deputy Governor shall be sworn in as the Governor.

And where the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor become vacant at the same time, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly shall become an Acting Governor for not more than 3 months. During the 3-month period, a fresh election shall be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the election of a new governor.

It is pertinent to state that the failure of a House of Assembly to function in Rivers State can not be a justification for the dissolution of democratic structures in any State of the Federation. Indeed, the Constitution had envisaged that a State House of Assembly may not be able to function due to one reason or another. Hence, section 11(4) of the Constitution stipulates as follows:

“At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State:

Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from office.”

In 2004 and 2006, we condemned the illegal dissolution of democratic structures when President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed emergency rules on Plateau State and Ekiti State, respectively. Regrettably, on both occasions, the Supreme Court refused to determine the constitutional validity of the dissolution of democratic structures on the ground that the suit were procedurally incompetent because they were instituted during the six-month emergency period by the suspended legislators in the name of Plateau State without the authorization of the Sole Administration of the state!

However, in 2013, when a state of emergency was declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, we urged him to reject the pressure mounted on by anti democratic forces to remove the elected Governors and dissolve democratic structures in the affected States. President Jonathan followed the path of constitutionalism.

In 2021, the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN announced the plan of the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Anambra State over insecurity and threat to a complete breakdown of law and order in that part of the Federation We advised President Buhari not to demolish democratic structures even if emergency rule was imposed on the state. President Buhari followed the path of constituionalism.

In the cases of Adegbenro vs. Attorney-General of the Federation (1962) 1 NLR 338 F.R.A. Williams V Dr. M.A. Majekodunmi (1962) 1 NLR 328 the Supreme Court of Nigeria validated the Emergency Powers Act 1961 to justify the dissolution of democratic structures as well as suspension of fundamental human rights in western region. As there is no equivalent of the Emergency Powers Act 1961 under the current constitutional dispensation, the suspension of an elected Governor by an elected President is a constitutional anomaly under the 1999 Constitution.

In Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State & Ors (2024) LPELR-62576 (SC) filed by the Bola Tinubu administration, the Supreme Court of Nigeria held that the removal of elected chairmen and councilors as well as appointment of sole administrators or caretaker committees by State Governors to run local government councils are illegal and unconstitutional. It follows to reason that the suspension of elected governors and elected members of the House of Assembly by the President is illegal and unconstitutional in every material particular.

To that extent, a serving or retired military officer can not be imposed as a Sole Administrator to govern any state in Nigeria. Similarly, a military officer cannot be appointed by the National Assembly as a Sole Administrator to govern the Nigerian people during a war between Nigeria and another country.

In the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly v Hon Rifkatu Danna (2017) 49 WRN 82 and several other cases, Nigerian Courts have held that the suspension of elected legislators is illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, the National Assembly should not endorse the illegal suspension of the Rivers State legislators that have not defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress. Instead of approving the illegal dissolution of democratic structures in Rivers State, the National Assembly should assist Governor Fubara by invoking its powers under section 11 (4) of the Constitution “to make laws for the peace, order and good government of that State”

Therefore, we are compelled to call on President Bola Tinubu to follow the path of constituionalism without any delay. The President should proceed to reinstate the suspended Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu and restore all democratic structures in Rivers State. This call is without prejudice to the duty imposed on the President to adopt extraordinary measures to restore law and order in Rivers State under Governor Fubara in strict compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

Femi Falana SAN

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the suspension of River State Governor Siminalayi and other elected officials of the state under President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

The body of Nigerian lawyers described the suspension of the elected state officials for six months as unconstitutional and an assault on democracy.

In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe said the move violates Section 305 of the Nigerian constitution, which outlines strict conditions for emergency rule.

The statement reads:

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken due notice of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as contained in his address to the nation today, 18th March 2025. This declaration according to the President is due to the prevailing political tension in the state and due to the “vandalization of pipelines between yesterday and today:” This development has far- reaching constitutional and democratic implications, particularly in light of the provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which governs the procedure for the proclamation of a state of emergency and which the President purported to have relied upon.

Section 305 of the Constitution indeed vests the President with the power to declare a state of emergency, the Section stipulates strict conditions and procedural safeguards that must be followed to ensure that such extraordinary measures do not infringe on democratic governance and fundamental human rights.

The NBA is of the opinion that for a state of emergency to be validly declared in a state, the facts and circumstances enumerated in Section
305 subsections (3(c), (d) and (e)), of the Constitution, must be fulfilled.

These circumstances include: (c) actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part of such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security. (d) a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger. (e) an occurrence or imminent danger or the occurrence of any disaster or national calamity affecting the community or a section of the community of the Federation.”

For a state of emergency to be declared, Section 305(3) of the constitution outlines specific conditions, including:

1. War or external aggression against Nigeria.
2. Imminent danger of invasion or war
3. A breakdown of public order and safety to such an extent that ordinary legal measures are insufficient.
4. A clear danger to Nigeria’s existence.
5. Occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity affecting a state or a part of it.
6. Such other public danger that constitutes a threat to the Federation.

The NBA questions whether the political crisis in Rivers State has reached the level of a complete breakdown of law and order warranting the declaration of a state of emergency. We think not! Political disagreements, legislative conflicts, or executive-legislative tensions do not constitute a justification for emergency rule. Such conflicts should be resolved through legal and constitutional mechanisms, including the judiciary, rather than executive fiat.

The essence of a state of emergency as can be seen from Section 11(1) of the Constitution is to empower the National Assembly to make laws for the Federation or any part therefore with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order and providing, maintaining and securing of such supplies and service as may be designed by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.

The declaration which the President stated was to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the State bedevilled by political crisis for almost a year now, does not meet the threshold stated in Section 305 of the Constitution. Thus, the purpose or objective of the declaration of a state of emergency by a President is to among other things enable the Federal Government to take extraordinary measures to restore peace and security to such a state, and forestall a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the state requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger, and not to suspend, take over or assume governance over the state.

This is clearly reinforced by Section 11(4) of the Constitution which provides that “Provided that nothing in this Section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from the office”.

The power given to the President under Section 305 of the Constitution does not empower the President to suspend a Governor, Deputy Governor or other democratic organs of government. By the clear provision of Section 11 of the Constitution, while “the National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order and providing, maintaining and securing of such supplies and services as may be designated by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services”, there is nowhere the President is empowered or authorised to suspend other elected State officials or legislature. It is therefore unconstitutional for the President to purport to have the power to suspend the Governor and his Deputy as well as suspend the House of Assembly for six months or any period whatsoever.

While we concede that the National Assembly may make laws for a state in which a state of emergency has been declared, we reiterate that the Rivers State House of Assembly could still make laws for the state. This is why it is expressly provided in Section 11(2) of the Constitution that “Nothing in this section shall preclude a House of Assembly from making laws with respect to the matters referred to in this section, including the provision for maintenance and securing of such supplies and services as may be designated by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.”

The NBA is therefore gravely concerned 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 for six months. We have no doubt the pronouncement in this regard is unconstitutional.

The 1999 Constitution does not grant the President the power to suspend or otherwise prevent an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of a state’s legislature from exercising the functions of their offices, under the guise of a state of emergency. Rather, the Constitution provides clear procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor as per Section 188. Similarly, the removal of members of the House of Assembly and dissolution of parliament is governed by constitutional provisions and electoral laws, none of which appear to have been adhered to in the present circumstances. These provisions have not been followed in this instance.

We reiterate that a declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments. The Constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove or replace elected officials—such actions amount to an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s federal structure. The NBA firmly asserts that the situation in Rivers State, though politically tense, does not meet the constitutional threshold for the removal of elected officials.

The purported suspension of Governor Fubara, his Deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, and a dangerous affront to our nation’s democracy. The same goes for the appointment of an Administrator to govern the State. The Constitution neither justifies the respective suspensions nor the
appointment of an Administrator.

These provisions provide that a state of emergency declared by the President does not assume automatic validity. It requires legislative ratification within a defined timeframe to remain in effect. The NBA, therefore, emphasizes that the National Assembly should not approve the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as the same is unconstitutional.

In light of the foregoing, the Nigerian Bar Association:

a. Calls on the President to rescind the part of his declaration suspending of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy and the Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months as the same is unconstitutional.

b. Calls on the President to ensure strict adherence to constitutional provisions in implementing the state of emergency and to act within the framework of the law. Any deviation from the laid-down constitutional process would set a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria.

c. Urges the National Assembly to perform its constitutional duty diligently by independently reviewing the President’s proclamation and ensuring that it meets the legal and factual requirements before granting any approval as well as refusing approval to the parts of the declaration we have shown to have violated the Constitution. In fact, the National Assembly must critically examine whether the crisis in Rivers State justifies such extreme measures and whether the suspension of elected officials aligns with constitutional provisions.

d. Warns against arbitrary executive actions that may undermine the rule of law or result in excessive use of force by security agencies under the guise of enforcing emergency measures. The rights of citizens must be always protected, even in situations of emergency.

e. Emphasizes the need for political dialogue and institutional solutions to address the underlying issues fuelling the crisis in Rivers State. Resorting to emergency rule should not become a default mechanism for resolving political conflicts, as democracy thrives on dialogue, respect for the rule of law, and adherence to due process.

f. Encourages all stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and the international community, to closely monitor the situation in Rivers State to ensure that fundamental rights, democratic principles, and the independence of institutions are not compromised.

The NBA remains committed to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. 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.

We call on all relevant authorities to act in accordance with the law and the best interest of the country. Nigeria’s democracy must be protected at all costs, and the Constitution must be upheld as the supreme legal authority in all circumstances.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

President

There is no doubt that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria. But the constitution does not give the president the power to suspend an elected governor, deputy Governor, or even members of parliament.

Even the power to declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Constitution is not absolute. That is why section 305 (1) uses the language subject to the provisions of this constitution. The president is not the employer of the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State. He is also not the employer of the members of the State House of Assembly. The power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria or even in Nigeria must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended and must not be exercised in flagrant abuse of the same constitution.

It is no news now that on the 18th of March 2025, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. He suspended the governor and his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly for six months in the first instance. The decision by the President is contrary to the provisions of the Constitution that stipulate that no part of Nigeria shall be governed otherwise than by democratic means. The appointment of a Sole Administrator in a democratic system is unquestionably unconstitutional and a democratic aberration.

The administrator appointed by the president did not stand any election in Rivers State, and he was never elected by the people of Rivers State democratically as required by the Nigerian constitution. In any case, the constitution set out the powers and the conditions before a state of emergency can be declared in Nigeria or any parts of Nigeria. Because of the importance of the position I want to canvass in this write-up, let me quote the constitution in extenso. Let me refer to section 305 of the constitution.

Section 305 of the 1999 constitution provides as follows: 305 (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument published in the Official -Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.(2) The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official -Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation.

Section 305 (3) of the constitution sets out the conditions upon which the President shall have the power to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency and this is only when –
(a) the Federation is at war;
(b) the Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war;
(c) There is an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;
(d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger;
(e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation;
(f) there is any other public danger that clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or
(g) the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.
Section 305 (4) says: The Governor of a State may, with the sanction of a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly, request the President to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the State when there is in existence within the State any of the situations specified in subsection (3) (c), (d) and (e) of this section and such situation does not extend beyond the boundaries of the State.

Section 305 (5) says: The President shall not issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in any case to which the provisions of subsection (4) of this section apply unless the Governor of the State fails within a reasonable time to make a request to the President to issue such Proclamation. Section 305 (6) of the constitution says: A Proclamation issued by the President under this section shall cease to have effect –
(a) if it is revoked by the President by instrument published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation;
(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;
(c) after a period of six months has elapsed since it has been in force:
Provided that the National Assembly may, before the expiration of the period of six months aforesaid, extend the period for the Proclamation of the state of emergency to remain in force from time to time for a further period of six months by resolution passed in like manner; or
(d) at any time after the approval referred to in paragraph (b) or the extension referred to in paragraph (c) of this subsection, when each House of the National Assembly revokes the Proclamation by a simple majority of all the members of each House.

Now, section 305 (5) prohibits the president from making a declaration of a state of emergency unless certain events happen. It says: The President shall not issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in any case to which the provisions of subsection (4) of this section apply unless the Governor of the State fails within a reasonable time to make a request to the President to issue such Proclamation.

Section 305 (4) put a duty on the governor to make a request to the president to make the declaration. It provides that: The Governor of a State may, with the sanction of a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly, request the President to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the State when there is in existence within the State any of the situations specified in subsection (3) (c), (d) and (e) of this section and such situation does not extend beyond the boundaries of the State.

Can it be reasonably said that the situations in section 305 (3) (c), (d) and (e) existed in Rivers State at the date the president purported to have the declaration of state of emergency. I do not think so. Many Nigerians of reasonable minds, too, do not think so. Let us see what the section is all about. These are the situations that can prompt the governor to make a request for a declaration of a state of emergency.

(c) There is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;
(d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger
(e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation;and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security.

Can it be said that these situations existed in Rivers State at the time Mr. President declared a state of emergency. I do not think so. But what do I know. The suspension of the Governor and his Deputy and the State House of Assembly is clearly an unacceptable and unconstitutional conduct on the part of Mr. President. The 1999 constitution deals with the processes of removal of state governors and deputies, and the powers to do so are not in Mr. President.

One may be tempted to ask. Is the president going to ignore the orders of the Supreme Court that restrained the release of money for Rivers State from the Federation Account unless there is appropriation law duly passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The president made copious references to the judgment of the Supreme Court. The way Mr. President declared this state of emergency, and in my humble view, I submit it was not actuated by respect for the Nigerian constitution. No, it was not. Mr. President, with respect, abused his powers of declaration of state of emergency, and this was done to satisfy partisan political interest and not the best interest of Nigerians and Rivers State in particular.

It is important to recall that during President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, now Mr. President was clear in his condemnation of the declaration of a State of Emergency in some states in the North by President Jonathan in 2013. This is what now Mr President said then: “The body language of the Jonathan administration leads any keen watcher of events to the unmistakable conclusion of the existence of a surreptitious but barely disguised intention to muzzle the elected governments of these states for what is clearly a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic partisanship geared towards 2015.”

This is what citizen Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in 2013. Citizen Bola Ahmed TInubu is now the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. This is what Mr. President said in 2013 when Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States because of Boko Haram insurgency. But even then, the democratically elected officials were not even removed. Nigerians are worried about the trajectory of our democracy that is built around self-serving partisan interests instead of the best interest of the people.

The way Mr President has been handling this Rivers issue since inception gives the impression to any decerning minds that Mr President was not neutral. He seems to have taken sides and this declaration of a state of emergency does not have any other meaning than abuse of power in circumvention of the Nigerian constitution for purely partisan political interests. I say nothing more. Nigerians are watching.

A Delta State High Court in Ughelli has ordered the remand of one Perez Kingsley in a correctional facility for allegedly defiling his one-year-old daughter and also sexually abusing his 1-year-old son

The suspect was arraigned on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and remanded to Okere Correctional Centre in Warri, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. 

According to human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, the suspect repeatedly defiled his one-year-old daughter and s0domised his son,3. 

“Father who allegedly DęfíIęd his one-year-old daughter and s0domised his 3 years old son, bursting his ąnųș has been remanded to Prison custody. This guy we posted last week who allegedly dęfíIęd his one-year-old daughter repeatedly and sodomised his 3 years old son, bursting the anųs called Perez Kingsley has been charged to court,” the activist wrote. 

“He was charged to the Ughelli High Court today and was remanded to Okere Prisons pending DPP’s advice. 

“Your mom being a political party women leader would not interfere with an issue of injustice because we told you that we are coming and anything wen anybody be na for e pocket. You guys should continue spending the money no shaking.”