By Gabriel Ewepu
Abuja – The Coalition of Concerned Ijaw Stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Northern Nigeria has demanded the reversal of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State and the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking at a press conference, Convener Comrade Rosemary John-Oduone, alongside 16 Ijaw leaders, condemned the president’s action, calling it a “rape of democracy.”
John-Oduone stated: “The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which the President and all governors swore to uphold, has been set aside by Bola Tinubu with the aid of the armed forces and police to illegally remove the elected Governor and Government of Rivers State.
“This action is aimed at forcing the governor and state officials to decamp to his political party in an attempt to create a one-party dictatorship and ensure his second-term re-election at all costs.
“The situation in Rivers State does not warrant a state of emergency, and we demand that Governor Siminalayi Fubara be reinstated immediately.”
John-Oduone also accused the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, of facilitating the state of emergency declaration.
“The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has played a role in orchestrating this illegality, allowing for the unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency,” she alleged.
Comrade Emmanuel Deinma, Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (FCT & Northern Nigeria), urged President Tinubu to reconsider his decision in the interest of national unity.
Adam Mabo, President General, Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), warned that the state of emergency could escalate political tensions in Rivers State, urging the President to focus on building alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tamunokuro Obetoubara, President of Wakirike Bise, cautioned against destabilizing the Niger Delta, recalling the region’s past conflicts before late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua restored peace.
Appeal to the International Community
The coalition called on the United Nations, United States, United Kingdom, European Union, African Union, and ECOWAS to intervene and prevent what they described as an emerging authoritarian regime in Nigeria.
“We urge the international community to take urgent steps to free the people of Nigeria from this despotic regime that is abusing state institutions to entrench corrupt and undemocratic practices.”
The Ijaw stakeholders have vowed to continue resisting what they describe as an assault on democracy and demand an immediate reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
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