IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Senate President Godswill Akpabio visited the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday.

The visit was revealed in a statement by Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, on X (formerly Twitter).

Olayinka wrote, "The Uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during his visit to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his residence today."

As of the time of this report, no official statement has been issued regarding the purpose of the meeting. 

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, has described President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as an impeachable offense.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Abati argued that a governor cannot be removed by a presidential proclamation, insisting that Tinubu’s action violates the Constitution.

He stated that while Section 305 allows the president to declare a state of emergency under certain conditions, it does not grant him the power to suspend an elected governor, deputy, or legislature.

Abati also accused Tinubu of acting as a dictator by assigning legislative powers over Rivers State to the Federal Executive Council, a move he said directly contradicts Section 11 of the Constitution.

“The Federal Executive Council does not have the power to make laws for a state House of Assembly. President Tinubu has appropriated that power to himself, which is an impeachable offense,” he asserted.

He further noted that Section 188 outlines the legal process for removing a governor, which requires an impeachment proceeding initiated by the state legislature and reviewed by a judicial panel.

“The people who advised the president on this matter must be called to order,” Abati added. 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “unconstitutional and reckless.”

Obi accused Tinubu of disregarding rule of law and showing a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs.

“It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.

“It is a degrading back door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives,” Obi said in a statement on Wednesday via X.

Obi asserted that the political situation in Rivers does not justify the emergency rule and the suspension of Governor Siminlayi Fubara, his deputy and state lawmakers, adding that the action is also a biased interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution.

He said, “A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.

“This action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity.

“Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.”

Obi, therefore, appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow the emergence rule to stand, saying that the action will deepens the culture of impunity and threatens democracy.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The governors described the move as unfair, divisive, and harmful to democracy. 

On Tuesday evening, President Tinubu announced the emergency during a nationwide address, citing the need to restore law and order. This decision led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. 

As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas to take over the state’s administration. 

In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, released a statement on Wednesday expressing deep concern over the political crisis in Rivers. The forum accused Tinubu of worsening the situation rather than resolving it. 

The governors also criticized Tinubu for not addressing the role of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the crisis. They argued that Wike had been allowed to act without consequences because of the president’s inaction. 

The forum voiced its support for Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State, warning that suspending democratic governance is a dangerous move that could weaken Nigeria’s democracy and threaten the country’s stability. 

In its statement, the forum said: “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.”

The statement further read: “This unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria, and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.”

The governors also pointed out that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had raised concerns over the suspension of elected officials. The NBA stressed that a state of emergency must follow constitutional guidelines. 

Agreeing with the NBA’s position, the PDP Governors’ Forum warned that Tinubu’s decision was unconstitutional and unacceptable. 

“The Forum completely aligns itself with the NBA and promises to subject Section 305 (3) of the Constitution to judicial interpretation. This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand,” the statement added.

The House of Representatives has launched an inquiry into allegations that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies involved in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rods.

The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru (APC), who urged SON to intensify efforts to eliminate fake products from the Nigerian market and ensure only quality materials are sold.

Osawaru raised concerns over frequent building collapses in Nigeria, attributing them to poor regulatory practices, substandard materials, and faulty construction processes. Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, he revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for 56% of the incidents.

He criticized SON for allegedly reversing the closure of defaulting companies, reportedly under pressure from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. The reversal has sparked widespread criticism, questioning the government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards in construction.

The House has now resolved to investigate SON’s actions and recommend measures to curb the proliferation of substandard building materials in Nigeria. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis and security threats.  

In a national broadcast on March 18, 2025, Tinubu said governance in the state had collapsed following the demolition of the House of Assembly in December 2023 and the governor’s failure to restore legislative functions. The Supreme Court had also ruled that the state lacked a functioning government due to the ongoing crisis.  

As part of emergency measures:  

- Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers are suspended for six months.

- Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) is appointed as the Administrator to oversee governance.  

- The judiciary remains operational, and all emergency regulations will require Federal Executive Council approval.  

The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly. Tinubu expressed hope that the intervention would restore peace, order, and democratic governance in Rivers State.