Residents of Rivers State have expressed their dissatisfaction and frustration over yesterday’s State of Emergency, declared by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president.
Many indigenes and residents who spoke with reporters believe that Tinubu’s decision to suspend a democratically elected governor lacks constitutional backing and undermines the people’s will.
‘Everyone is still going about their daily lives – work, school, whatever. There’s nothing going on here. Everywhere is as calm as it was before President Tinubu’s announcement yesterday evening, a source on the ground tells Newsmen today from Port Harcourt, the capital city of the state, named after Lewis Harcourt, the Secretary of State for the Colonies during the colonial era.
However, the prevailing sentiment among the people of Rivers State is one of anger and disappointment. “People are not happy about what they are seeing at the moment,” one concerned resident told Neusroom from Bonny, a traditional, coastal town accessible only by boat, and famous for Bonny Light crude oil. “The president hasn’t done the right thing by suspending the governor. There is nowhere in the constitution that grants him such authority.”
Before the suspension, Governor Fubara had enjoyed widespread support from the people. Residents were not upset with him; rather, their frustration stemmed from the continued interference of former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the governance of the state. Many believe that Wike’s actions have hindered Fubara from effectively discharging his duties as governor.
“The majority of the people in Port Harcourt and across Rivers State stand with Fubara,” another resident stated. “They are not happy with the interference from Wike. We are annoyed that Fubara is not being allowed to govern the state freely.”
Rivers State, deep in the Niger Delta, is one of the 36 states in Nigeria. The state was created in 1967 and ranks as one of the top three states by IGR, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics. Politics is chaotic and dramatic, and past governors, including Wike himself, Peter Odili, and Rotimi Amaechi have had their jobs cut out.
The last elections, held on the 18th of March 2023 was a battle of giants and their proxies, with the final three candidates being Fubara of the PDP (302,614 votes), Tonye Cole of the APC (95,274 votes), and Beatrice Itubo of Labour Party (22000 votes).
But it was not winner takes all, as the governor has had to deal with a state parliament where twenty-seven members are allegedly loyal to Wike, with only three left on the fence or for the governor. The governor, his deputy Ngozi Odu and all the thirty lawmakers are now suspended for up to six months if the State of Emergency holds.
Meanwhile, as tensions continue to rise, many Rivers indigenes remain steadfast in their support for Fubara, calling for an end to external influence and a return to constitutional governance. “People are not angry with the government,” a source explained, “but they are unhappy with the system and how external forces are meddling in the affairs of the state.”
The unfolding situation in Rivers State remains fluid, with many eagerly awaiting further developments and potential resolutions to the political crisis.
