APC Chieftain Gives Tinubu 7-Day Ultimatum to Reverse State of Emergency in Rivers

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate reversal of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State.

He warned that failure to do so would result in legal action against the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the appointed Administrator of the state.

Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), strongly condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. He described the emergency rule, declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, as unconstitutional and an attack on Nigeria’s democracy.

“The decision to suspend the Governor and other elected officials is premeditated, highly condemnable, unconstitutional, and undemocratic,” Eze stated in a press release on Monday morning in Port Harcourt.

He argued that Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which allows the President to declare a state of emergency, does not give him the power to remove elected officials. He insisted that the only legal way to remove a Governor is through the provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the impeachment process.

Eze further accused President Tinubu of acting in favor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He claimed the state of emergency was a calculated move to weaken Governor Fubara, who has been at odds with Wike.

“This act of political maneuvering is an assault on the Constitution and an insult to the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State, who elected Fubara through a legitimate process,” Eze said.

The APC chieftain alleged that Tinubu’s move was an attempt to consolidate power and pave the way for his re-election bid in 2027 by suppressing opposition.

Eze also criticized the National Assembly for hastily approving the state of emergency without proper scrutiny. “It is shocking that the National Assembly rubber-stamped this unconstitutional act with a mere voice vote,” he remarked.

He vowed to take the matter to court if the suspension of the Governor, his deputy, and the state legislature is not reversed within seven days.

Political analysts believe the crisis in Rivers State is far from over, as opposition voices continue to challenge the legality of Tinubu’s action. Meanwhile, Nigerians await an official response from the Presidency regarding the ultimatum issued by Eze.