“Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice.” –Koffi Annan
The recent actions taken by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, mark a significant turning point in the ongoing political crisis that has gripped Rivers State. This declaration, accompanied by the suspension of the duly elected Executive Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months, reflects the President’s determination to address the protracted political crisis that has engulfed the state.
We acknowledge and commend the President’s decisive efforts to restore peace and stability to Rivers State, a region long beleaguered by a political impasse that has threatened the fabric of governance and the well-being of its people. His decision to appoint Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator during this period underscores a commitment to ensuring governance continuity and order in the face of escalating tensions. We recognize the gravity of the situation, including reports of pipeline vandalism, factional disputes within the state’s political leadership, and the breakdown of legislative functions following the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023. These challenges have undoubtedly necessitated urgent action to safeguard the welfare of the people of Rivers State.
However, while we recognize the President’s intentions, we must respectfully assert that the pursuit of peace and resolution in Rivers State should adhere strictly to due process and the rule of law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The suspension of democratically elected officials and the dissolution of legislative functions are extraordinary measures that demand transparent justification, legal grounding, and broad consultation to preserve the democratic principles upon which our nation stands, thus the ensuing actions raise significant questions about the legal framework guiding such actions. Rivers State, as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy, deserves a resolution that upholds the will of its people and respects the sanctity of their electoral mandate.
We respectfully urge that any measures taken to restore peace in Rivers State align strictly with these constitutional provisions. The democratic will of the people, expressed through the election of their leaders, must not be undermined without transparent and lawful justification. We call on all stakeholders—including the Federal Government, the judiciary, and the citizens of Rivers State—to ensure that the pursuit of stability does not come at the expense of democratic principles and the rights of our people.
Rivers State is not merely a political entity; it is the economic heartbeat of the Niger Delta, a region that powers Nigeria’s national economy through its vast oil and gas resources. It is also a unique melting pot of diverse indigenous peoples whose cultural and historical ties extend across the South-South Geopolitical Region and beyond. The state’s strategic significance and its complex inter-tribal dynamics require that any intervention be handled with the utmost caution. A misstep in this delicate context risks igniting inter-tribal conflicts that could rapidly spill over into neighboring states, destabilizing the entire South-South Geopolitical Region. Such an outcome would not only disrupt the Niger Delta’s critical contributions to the national economy but could plunge the country into a state of chaos and anarchy, with far-reaching consequences for all Nigerians.
We therefore call on the President and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the path to lasting peace in Rivers State is marked by a balanced approach that respects both the need for order and the sanctity of constitutional governance which can only be attained through justice, inclusivity, and adherence to constitutional norms. To this end, we wish to reaffirm our readiness to support efforts toward reconciliation and progress, provided they are rooted in wisdom, restraint, justice, fairness, and the rule of law ensuring that the economic and cultural vitality of this great state is safeguarded for generations to come.
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” – Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr
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HON. (PROF.) STEPHEN SINIKIEM AZAIKI, PhD, DSc, OON
Co-Chairman/National Coordinator – National Think Tank Nigeria
Honourable Member, House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Yenagoa/KOLGA Federal Constituency, 2019 – 2023)
