Rivers Assembly Throws Weight Behind President’s Declaration Of State Of Emergency

The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed its support for the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

This decision was made public in a statement issued by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, on March 18, 2025.

According to the statement, the House of Assembly attributed the current crisis in Rivers State to the alleged malfeasance of the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who has been accused of disobeying court judgments and orders, failing to govern in line with his oath of office and the Constitution, and obstructing the functioning of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Speaker described the Governor’s actions as “despotic and tyrannical,” which has been confirmed by the courts.

He said: “On behalf of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I write to draw your attention to the declaration of a state of emergency by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“The condition of our dear Rivers State today is mainly because of the malfeasance of the governor, who serially disobeyed judgements and orders of courts and failed to govern the state in line with his oath of office and the Constitution.

“The governor’s despotic and tyrannical actions, as confirmed by the courts, in which he also unconstitutionally obstructed the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is an arm of government, from functioning, underlie this situation.”

Despite this, the House of Assembly has assured its constituents that it will abide by the President’s declaration, even though it was not the outcome they had hoped for.

The Speaker urged the people of Rivers State to remain calm as the sole administrator appointed by the President assumes his duties.

He pledged the Assembly’s full support to the sole administrator, stating that they would provide any kind of support required to ensure the stability and progress of the state.

He added, “As an Assembly, we assure you all, our constituents, that we would abide by this declaration even though it is not what we prayed for. Mr. President has acted in the best interest of the country; therefore, we call on you all to remain calm as the sole administrator appointed by the President assumes his duty in the best interest of our state and nation.

“Rest, assured that we would give any kind of support required of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the sole administrator in the best interest of our dear state.

“Once again, we thank you all for your continued support, prayers and understanding.

“We expect that you will all give the sole administrator the needed support to stir the ship of state during this period of emergency.”

This development is seen as a significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.

Rivers Assembly Throws Weight Behind President’s Declaration Of State Of Emergency is first published on The Whistler Newspaper