April 18, 2025 , Port Harcourt, Rivers State – Godknows Igali, chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has urged the House of Representatives’ new ad hoc committee to uphold neutrality while overseeing the state of emergency in Rivers State.
This appeal follows President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 declaration of emergency rule, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and state legislators for six months.
Meanwhile, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas assumed control as sole administrator, dissolving Fubara-appointed officials and deepening political tensions.
On April 16, Igali formally addressed House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, praising the 21-member committee’s creation but stressing the need for impartial governance monitoring.
“The decision to ensure transparent oversight in Rivers State has received resounding applause from patriotic Nigerians nationwide,” he stated.
Furthermore, he lauded committee chair Professor Julius Ihonvbere, a “globally respected scholar,” for his integrity and urged members to mirror his ethical rigor.
Additionally, Igali demanded the committee scrutinize Ibas’s administration and reverse unlawful actions, including the abrupt dissolution of local governments.
He criticized the replacement of elected councils with unelected caretaker committees, warning such moves undermine democracy.
Moreover, he pressed for Fubara’s swift reinstatement, asserting, “Restoring democracy in Rivers State is a national priority requiring urgent resolution.”
Notably, Rivers State contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s oil output, making its stability vital to economic security.
However, public discontent persists. Protests demanding Fubara’s return have intensified, with citizens condemning emergency rule as politically motivated.
PANDEF and other stakeholders argue that Ibas’s measures exacerbate unrest rather than resolve it.
Consequently, the committee faces mounting pressure to balance federal authority with grassroots demands.
Critics also question Tinubu’s intervention timing, coinciding with national debates about executive overreach.
As a result, the committee’s actions will likely set precedents for handling regional crises under Nigeria’s constitution.
Igali emphasized this, stating, “Rivers State’s crisis tests our democratic resilience; impartial oversight is nonnegotiable.”
Ultimately, the committee’s success hinges on transparent engagement with civil society and adherence to legal frameworks.
As Nigeria’s democracy stands at a crossroads, reconciling federal mandates with local aspirations becomes crucial for the country’s future.
Ultimately, this reconciliation will significantly influence not only Rivers State’s political trajectory but also the overall direction of the nation.
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