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Tag: State of Emergency

  • When will you declare state of emergency on your own ‘disastrous Presidency’ – Atiku tells Tinubu

    When will you declare state of emergency on your own ‘disastrous Presidency’ – Atiku tells Tinubu

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on his “own disastrous presidency.”

    In a statement by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku stated that Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency.

    The statement reads: “On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flew out to France. Had this absurd announcement come just a day earlier, Nigerians would have dismissed it as an April Fool’s joke. But sadly, it’s no prank — just another insult to a nation pushed to the brink by a presidency that treats its citizens like fools.

    “The official excuse? A so-called “working visit.” But Nigerians aren’t buying the spin. The presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip — how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds? What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible— it’s contemptuous.

    “Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office. “See Paris and die?” No — see Paris and abandon your country.

    “While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and despair.

    “This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.

    “If Tinubu had even a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return immediately. A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis. The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.

    “Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called “working visit” is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.

    “Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse. So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency?”

  • Rivers APC Chairman defends Tinubu’s emergency rule

    Rivers APC Chairman defends Tinubu’s emergency rule

    Mr Tony Okocha, Chairman Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC), says the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu saved the state from situations of anarchy.

    Okocha said that the situation in Rivers was moving towards a state of lawlessness with non-state actors brandishing sophisticated weapons before the declaration.

    While speaking on Thursday in Abuja, he said FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, contrary to speculations, was also involved in brokering peace in the state.

    He said that the President had made efforts to resolve the political crisis before the declaration of the emergency, but to no avail.

    Recall Tinubu had declared a six months state of emergency on Rivers, citing political instability and troubling security reports.

    Tinubu said that security reports revealed pipeline vandalism by militants, with no intervention from the state government.

    The President subsequently appointed retired Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator to oversee Rivers’ affairs during the emergency.

    Okocha, citing the supreme court judgment ahead of the declaration, said that Rivers as the court ruled, had no government prior to it.

    “The governor jettisoned 27 lawmakers and was dealing with only three lawmakers and withheld the finances of the State Assembly which was abnormal.

    “Pulling down the State Assembly under the guise of renovating it following structural defect without a prior notice was an afront on democracy.

    “Before the declaration of the emergency, Rivers was heading towards anarchy as non-state actors were seen brandishing sophisticated weapons,” Okocha said.

    He said that it was a good thing that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had gone to the supreme Court to challenge the declaration, adding that it would enrich the country’ jurisprudence.

    The Rivers APC chairman said that the emergency declared on the state was a necessary evil to restore normalcy to it.

    “Security intelligence has been beefed up in Rivers since the state of emergency was declared in the state.

    “With the emergency declared, people like us who are in the opposition in the state could now move around,” Okocha said.

  • Rivers crisis: State of emergency will broker peace – Akpabio

    Rivers crisis: State of emergency will broker peace – Akpabio

    The President of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio says declaration of state of emergency in Rivers will broker peace among the warring factions.

    Akpabio stated this in Calabar on Friday, when he was inducted into the University of Calabar (Unical) Hall of Fame as part of the institution’s 50th Anniversary and 37th Convocation Ceremony.

    The senate president was inducted alongside the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, a former minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, and a business mogul, Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu.

    While noting that President Bola Tinubu’s action on Rivers was guided by the constitution, Akpabio promised to continually contribute his quota to the development of his alma mater.

    Recalling with nostalgia, his journey as a student in Unical, Akpabio said: “I have a brand new bus for the Faculty of Law and another for the Student Union Government (SUG) of this university.

    “Since I was a former speaker of the SUG. I encourage you to take your education seriously and to support the growth of education and the university. I dedicate this award to  God.”

    On his part, the deputy speaker of the house, who presented the convocation lecture, said that universities in the country must go beyond theory as part of efforts to address the nation’s challenges.

    He insisted that education will not be complete “if the town does not feel the impact of the gown.”

    The lecture was titled: “Our Gowns in Town and in Cyber Space: Sustainable and Human Centered Education, the Mandate of our Universities, 2025 to 2075.”

    According to him, universities are established as engines of progress and  must go beyond theory. Our education is incomplete if the town does not feel the impact of our gown.

    “Education is not about acquiring knowledge but acquiring it to shape society.

    ” As we approach 2075, our education must have meaningful societal impact.”

    Similarly, the former humanitarian affairs minister said that President  Tinubu’s Students Loan Scheme  already gave   opportunities to indigent students to pursue their educational careers.

    “I believe very strongly that with the loan and other interventions of the Nigerian government to the university, we will have greater, stronger citizens, who will make their impact in society, for the people of low income, needy, economy, digitisation of our nation and its processes.

    “I believe strongly that the future is bright for education in Nigeria.

    “On this note, on behalf of the Class of 2009 medical students and set, we are contributing to the completion of the institution’s medical centre.

    “We will not only complete the structures but we are going to fully provide the equipment needed for it  to function optimally,” she said.

    Egwuonwu, who lauded the Vice Chancellor for her giant strides in the university, disclosed that education has made a huge impact on him as a business mogul.

    “I must tell you the truth that education has deeply widened my horizon and reshaped my thinking and how I do business, and I’m not stopping anytime soon till I get my doctorate degree.

    “I want to thank my wife , my children for all their support, I thank the vice chancellor for finding me worthy and honoring me, I’m indeed humbled by this recognition,” he said.

    Earlier, the vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi explained that it was the university’s way of appreciating the contributions of its alumni to the growth of education and society.

  • Rivers Crisis: INC urges calm, peace amidst emergency rule

    Rivers Crisis: INC urges calm, peace amidst emergency rule

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has urged the people of Rivers particularly those of Ijaw extraction to remain calm and peaceful following the declaration of State of Emergency in the state.

    President Bola Tinubu’s declaration on Tuesday, after a protracted political rancour in the state, meant a six-month suspension from office for Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, his appointees, deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and the state legislature.

    The INC’s reaction to the development was contained in a statement by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He called on the appropriate authorities to guarantee the protection of Fubara and his family in order not to raise questions about the intent behind his suspension from office.

    Okaba alleged that the suspension was hasty and skewed in favour of those opposed to the Fubara’s leadership in the state led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    He said Ijaw people had refrained from being provoked by the opposition’s actions, particularly the recent thanksgiving by Wike at Abalama, an Ijaw community.

    ‘’The Abalama event was to incite violence and create justification for the declaration of emergency rule, which failed as Ijaw youths heeded the wise council of their elders.

    ”We said it just yesterday in both print and TV media that the political wahala in Rivers is beyond a battle between Wike and Fubara, but one orchestrated by a bigger political hand, now Nigerians have seen it,’’ he alleged.

    Okaba said the political situation in the state was not tense enough to attract the declaration, adding that some states faced more serious security concerns but were yet to suffer same fate as Rivers.

    ”These are states where frequent violent attacks have led to the deaths of many civilians and military officers by faceless tribal militia and other criminal minded elements.

    ”Where then is justice in this equation`, he asked.

    He said it was not true that the suspended Fubara had not done enough to avert the state of emergency.

    “In addition to providing a befitting space for the House of Assembly (after the demolition of the Assembly building) and paying their allowances, Fubara complied with all the terms of agreement reached with Mr President.

    ”This includes the withdrawal of court cases and reappointment of Wike’s commissioners among others.

    “Fubara has also started the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement by sacking the LGA chairmen and putting in place machinery for the conduct of Local Government Elections.

    ”His attempt to re-present the 2025 Budget was again frustrated by Wike and his legislators who were hell-bent to remove Fubara as governor by any means and at all cost,’’ Okaba said.

    He called for a thorough investigation into the recent pipeline bombing incidents in the region which was cited as part of the reasons for the state of emergency.

  • FLASHBACK! Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s reply to state of emergency in 1962

    FLASHBACK! Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s reply to state of emergency in 1962

    On May 29, yes, May 29, 1962, as the Federal Parliament sought to pass the resolution to declare a state of emergency in Western Nigeria, Chief Awolowo made this speech on the floor of the Parliament. It was ominous. The NPC led government had their way and declared the state of emergency. The effect of that decision materialised fully in January 1966.

    IN reply, the Leader of Opposition in the Federal Parliament, and Leader of the Action Group, Chief Obafemi Awolowo said:

    “I beg to move the following Amendment to the Motion already proposed by the Prime Minister:

    “To delete all the words of the Motion after-That – and substitute- “This honourable House declares after having regard to the provisions of section 65 of the Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria a state of public emergency does not exist.”

    “May I draw the attention of honourable Members to the provisions of section 65 of our Constitution. It is not usual for Members to read the Constitution unless occasion such as this arises or some other incidents which affect us occur.

    “Section 65 reads: “65(1) Parliament may at any time make such laws for Nigeria or any part thereof with respect to matters not included in the Legislative Lists as may appear to Parliament to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of maintaining or securing peace, order and good government during any period of emergency.”

    “The section 3-(3) In this section “period of emergency” means any period during which (a) the Federation is at war; (b) there is in force a resolution by each House of Parliament declaring that a state of public of emergency exists; and (c) there is in force a resolution of each House of Parliament supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the House declaring that democratic institutions in Nigeria are threatened by subversion.

    The Prime Minister thinks that this very far-reaching provisions of the Constitution should be invoked merely to save a friend!

    “Secondly, what is a public emergency? What is a state of public emergency? May I say that my view quite candidly is that a state of public emergency arises only when there is widespread violence in any part of the Federation. In this particular case there is no widespread violence or rioting or disturbance in the Western Region.

    Thirdly I say- I said it outside this House and I want to repeat it on the floor of this honourable House- that the action now being taken by the Federal Government is a gross misuse of power; I do not say abuse because as far as I can see there is no abuse yet- I hope the Federal Government does not abuse its power in the process of implementing this Resolution, but so far it is a gross misuse of power; the circumstances which should warrant the use of this power have not yet risen.”

    Copied from Vanguard Newspaper.

  • Ex-lawmaker supports Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers

    Ex-lawmaker supports Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers

    Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term Lagos State House of Assembly member, has commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers.

    Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo 1 from 2015 to 2023, said , in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Tuesday, that the declaration would address the  political crisis in the state.

    He said that the political tension in the state, caused by the feud between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, needed quick intervention.

    “The President has taken the right action, but for me it is even too late because these signs have been there.

    “My fear is that Rivers is a melting point for Nigeria, particularly in terms of crude oil exploration and others, and some people might want to cause trouble as a result of the declaration ” Idimogu said.

    He, however, urged President Tinubu to create a platform to reconcile feuding parties and resolve all issues once and for all.

    “It is quite unfortunate what we have in Rivers today,” the ex-lawmaker said.

    NAN reports that in a national broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, following the lingering political crisis in the state.

    The President said it had become compelling for him to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers with effect from March 18.

    Tinubu, through the declaration, suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Gov., Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers for a period of six-month.

    The President, therefore, nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the stated during the period

  • Tinubu seeks Reps approval on the state of emergency on Rivers

    Tinubu seeks Reps approval on the state of emergency on Rivers

    The Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rep. Akin Rotimi (APC-Ekitit state) says the House of Representatives will on Wednesday, debate the state of emergency declared on Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Rotimi said that President Bola Tinubu had officially written the house of his decision in line with section 305 of the Constitution.

    “Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted.

    “It will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, and further legislative action debated and decided,” he said.

    Following the lingering political unrest between the Executive and the Legislature in Rivers, Tinubu, in a live broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency on the state.

    The President suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all elected lawmakers of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

    NAN reports that Tinubu appointed the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the Sole Administrator of Rivers while the judiciary continued operations.

    Following the influence of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike on the political face off, many stakeholders had threatened to embark on mass protests while others had commenced vandalising public property like oil pipelines.

    Rotimi, however,  said that the National Assembly was duly consulted before the declaration of state of emergency by the President.

    He said that the leadership of the National Assembly met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu among other security chiefs ahead of the broadcast.

  • NNPC Ltd declares state of emergency on oil, gas production

    NNPC Ltd declares state of emergency on oil, gas production

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Ltd has declared a state of emergency on production in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The NNPC Ltd has also called on all players in the industry to collaborate towards reducing the cost of oil production and boosting production to target levels.

    Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, made this known in Abuja, on Tuesday at the ongoing 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil & Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition holding from June 30 to July 4.

    “We have decided to stop the debate. We cannot afford to negotiate further, we have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production.

    “Our biggest interest is to produce more oil and gas in spite of oil theft and other challenges.

    “We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners and we will work together to improve the situation,” he said.

    Kyari said a detailed analysis of assets revealed that Nigeria could conveniently produce two million barrels of crude oil daily without deploying new rigs, but decried the inability of players to act in a timely manner as major impediment.

    He said obstacles to effective and efficient production such as delays in procurement processes and old pipeline network were affecting the industry.

    He said NNPC Ltd. would replace all the old crude oil pipelines built over four decades ago and introduce a rig sharing programme with its partners to ensure that production rigs stayed in the country.

    This, he said, would be a medium to long-term measures aimed at boosting and sustaining production.

    He expressed commitment to investing in critical midstream gas infrastructure such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipelines to boost domestic gas production and supply for power generation.

    On Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Kyari said that NNPC Ltd. had keyed into the Presidential CNG Initiative drive.

    He said in conjunction with partners such as NIPCO Gas, NNPC Ltd. had built a number of CNG stations, 12 of which would be commissioned on Thursday in Lagos and Abuja.

    The Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Mr Mohamed Hamel, in an address, also advocated for natural gas infrastructure and penetration for energy stability and security.

  • Group faults APC over call for emergency rule in Rivers

    Group faults APC over call for emergency rule in Rivers

    The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria (CCFN), a civil society organisation,  has faulted the call for emergency rule in Rivers by Rivers chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Mr Promise Ekeanyanwu, the Executive Director of the group, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that APC, Rivers chapter, on Wednesday called for state of emergency in the state as the political tension there escalated.

    The caretaker committee chairman of the party, Mr Tony Okocha, told newsmen that “APC Rivers state is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers state so that I and you can have peace in this state’’.

    Ekeanyanwu said that declaring a state of emergency would undermine democratic governance.

    He also said the call for a state of emergency, if heeded to, would exacerbate the existing instability in the state.

    According to him, implementing such a measure would erode the trust of the populace in the democratic process.

    He said it would further disenfranchise the people of the state and potentially exacerbate the existing tensions.

    He urged President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into to determine if APC was involved in the crisis in Rivers and if found culpable hold it accountable for any wrongdoing.

    The CCFN executive director stressed that the security situation in the state should be a concern that required attention.

    He urged the relevant authorities to adopt proactive measures that would address the root causes of the issue.

    “Declaring a state of emergency is not a viable solution, as it will only lead to further violence, displacement and human rights violations’’, he said.

  • Just In: Declare a State of Emergency now, Fubara confused, police bias, APC tells FG

    Just In: Declare a State of Emergency now, Fubara confused, police bias, APC tells FG

    The All Progressives Congress, Rivers chapter has asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state as the Governor Sim Fubara is confused and police corrupt.

    The APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, on Wednesday made the call during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.

    He stated, “Rivers State is at war. And the dramatis personae who are responsible for the mayhem that has claimed lives are known.

    “The governor is helpless, the police bias helpless. Therefore the APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State as a way of taming the mayhem, and the upsurge that is going on in the state.

    “I call on the federal government to act fast in this regard.”

    Details to follow…