STATE OF EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS STATE AND THE BATTLE FOR STABILITY IS THE FOCUS OF TODAY’S VIEWPOINT
On Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, a sledge hammer came very hard on Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
It was the declaration of state of emergency in the oil rich state.
This came after months of intractable wrangling between Fubara, his godfather and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and twenty seven lawmakers who decamped to APC from pdp.
Declaration of state of emergency is not novel in Nigeria.
There were mixed reactions to legality or otherwise of that action.
The Constitution explicitly outlines the conditions and procedures involved in declaring state of emergency, emphasizing the necessary steps required for implementation.
Section 305(3) provides clear guidelines on the specific circumstances that may warrant such measures.
One of the key conditions is the occurrence of war or external aggression against Nigeria, which poses a direct threat to the nation’s sovereignty and security.
Additionally, an imminent danger of invasion or war is considered a valid reason, as it could destabilize the country and endanger its citizens.
Another critical factor is the breakdown of public order and safety to an extent where conventional legal measures are no longer sufficient to restore stability.
In such cases, extraordinary steps may be required to prevent chaos and lawlessness.
Similarly, any situation that presents a clear danger to Nigeria’s existence, whether political, economic, or social, is grounds for urgent intervention.
The Constitution also takes into account disasters or natural calamities affecting a state or a part of it, recognizing the need for swift action to protect lives and property.
Furthermore, any other public danger that poses a significant threat to the Federation is included, ensuring that all potential risks are adequately addressed.
Through these provisions, the Constitution establishes a legal framework for responding to emergencies, ensuring that necessary measures can be taken to safeguard the nation’s stability and security.
If the situation in Rivers State has not risen to any of these tempo, the declaration of emergency would be deemed unconstitutional.
Glass house is quite admirable, but then fragile.
That accounts for the caution to stay from hurling stones in a glass house.
This is why the problem in Rivers State needs to be treated with tact
This does not necessarily mean a call for kids gloves.
Threats of bombing of oil pipelines by suspected militants claiming to be sympathetic to the suspended governor amount to economic war against the nation.
No President will condone such an affront.
The suspended governor on his path should have issued statements condemning the actions of the militants.
Evidently, the Presidency has waded into the misunderstanding between the suspended governor and his godfather, one time or the other without the combatants sheathing their swords.
A meeting with the warring parties, where the hammer of state of emergency would be laid out before them if they fail to give peace a chance in Rivers state could have been attempted.
As it is, Nigeria cannot afford economic recession should an all-out attacks by militants on oil pipelines continues.
No, not at this period when the economy needed to be shored up by revenues and investments.
The six months State of emergency in Rivers State should be used as an avenue to get the warring parties including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to strike a peace deal in the interest of their state.
