The All Progressives Congress (APC) has renewed its call for a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a severe political crisis. This marks the second time in four months the APC has made such a demand, attributing the crisis to the forceful removal of 23 local government council chairmen whose tenure ended at midnight on June 17.
The tenure expiration has sparked a heated constitutional debate. A controversial law, Law No. 2 of 2024, passed by former Speaker Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule, attempted to extend the chairmen’s tenure by six months. This law aimed to provide more time before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) could organize new elections.
Despite this law, the chairmen’s tenure legally ended, leading to violent confrontations on June 18. Armed men, allegedly hired from the Niger Delta creeks, occupied the council secretariats, resulting in widespread violence, including shootings, looting, and harassment in several local government areas like Emohua, Obio/Akpo, Akuku Toru, Eleme, and Ikwerre. Some incidents resulted in casualties.
The effigy of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was torn down and some council secretariats were looted, raising fears of anarchy. In response, Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the Heads of local government service administration to take control of the secretariats. Attempts by the former chairmen to retrieve personal documents were met with resistance from mobs.
During a press conference, APC Chairman Chief Tony Okocha criticized Governor Fubara’s handling of the situation and demanded a state of emergency. He emphasized the potential national economic impact if the crisis continues unchecked.
Governor Fubara, in a statewide address, assured citizens that the state remains peaceful and accused the opposition of exaggerating the situation. However, the crisis is rooted in a power struggle between Governor Fubara and pro-Wike legislators. The pro-Wike lawmakers passed a law extending the local government chairmen’s tenure, which Fubara refused to sign, citing legal and constitutional concerns.
The Rivers State High Court ruled the tenure extension law invalid, declaring it inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and existing state laws. This ruling has not deterred the tensions, with the APC urging federal intervention to prevent further chaos.
The appeal case involving the tenure extension remains unresolved, with the Court of Appeal yet to deliver its judgment. Meanwhile, a tenuous calm has returned to Rivers State as all parties await the court’s decision.
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