A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Obidike Chukwuebuka, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that the move effectively saved Governor Siminalayi Fubara from impeachment.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obidike asserted that Governor Fubara owes a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu for stepping in at a critical moment.

He noted that the intervention not only prevented an imminent removal of the governor but also helped restore stability amid the escalating political crisis in the state.

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Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Obidike explained that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency, which temporarily suspends the authority of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and other state institutions.

According to him, this provision allows the President to assume control when a state faces a major crisis that threatens governance and security.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated leadership by ensuring that Rivers State does not descend into chaos. His decision prevented what could have been a turbulent political showdown that might have destabilized governance in the state,” Obidike stated.

While the exact details of the alleged impeachment plot against Fubara remain unclear, Obidike emphasized that Tinubu’s actions have reshaped the political dynamics in Rivers.

The President’s recent meeting with Governor Fubara and other key stakeholders, he noted, underscored the importance of peace and cooperation in resolving the crisis.

“As the situation unfolds, Governor Fubara’s political future remains closely tied to President Tinubu’s influence, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the state,” Obidike concluded.

His remarks come amid a wave of mixed reactions across the country, with legal experts, opposition parties, and civil society groups questioning the legitimacy of Tinubu’s decision.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly opposed the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that President Bola Tinubu does not have the constitutional power to suspend the state’s elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement on Tuesday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba criticized the move, calling it a violation of the 1999 Constitution and an attack on democracy.

“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy,” Ologunagba stated.

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He further alleged that the decision was part of a larger strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize Rivers State and take control of its governance.

According to him, “It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State.”

The PDP also warned that the move was not just about Rivers State but a broader attempt to weaken the opposition and establish a one-party system.

“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom,” Ologunagba said.

He also challenged Tinubu’s legal justification for the emergency rule, arguing that Section 305 of the Constitution does not grant the president unilateral power to enforce such a decision without approval from the National Assembly.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that ‘The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives… to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation,’” he explained.

The PDP has called on Nigerians and the international community to resist what it sees as a dangerous abuse of power, warning that it could set a troubling precedent for governance in the country.

With the wave of insecurity unrelenting and the belief that it has a political undertone, the Edo State Government is contemplating arresting those sponsoring what it described as ‘touts in possession of over 5,000 illegal arms in Edo State’.

This was detailed in a press statement on Sunday in Benin City by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua.

According to Itua, the state government would no longer condone the menace of illegally armed political thugs and touts, so would not hesitate to unveil the mask to pick up those behind the non-state actors of a particular political party, disturbing the peace of the state.

He wrote, “The Edo State Government is gravely concerned about the rising wave of insecurity fuelled by armed thugs and criminal elements associated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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“These individuals, who were heavily armed before the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, have refused to surrender their weapons, posing a clear and present danger to the safety of our citizens.

“It is on record that former Governor Godwin Obaseki, before the last election, openly threatened that “Nigeria would burn.” This was not a mere political outburst — it was a premeditated declaration backed by the systematic arming of touts and thugs.

“These individuals, many of whom were drafted into the Edo State Security Network under the previous administration, still possess over 5,000 illegal firearms, which they now use to perpetrate robbery, kidnapping, and violent attacks across the state.

“The Edo State Government is aware that PDP leaders, who had direct control over these armed operatives, have refused to assist in disarming them. Instead, they continue to shield these criminals, providing them with cover as they unleash terror on innocent citizens.

“Worse still, intelligence reports indicate that PDP leaders are stockpiling additional arms, with the intention of orchestrating mayhem should their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, fail to secure victory at the Tribunal.

“The State Government is calling on all security agencies to intensify their investigations, track down these armed criminals, their sponsors and bring them to justice.

“No individual, regardless of political affiliation, is above the law, and Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the peace and security of our people.

“We urge law enforcement agencies to move swiftly and ensure that all illegally possessed firearms are recovered, and those responsible for the current state of insecurity in Edo are held accountable.

“The security and well-being of Edo people remain Governor Okpebholo’s utmost priority, and he will not allow politically sponsored violence to take root in our State.”