Lawyer Accuses FG of Using State of Emergency to Seize Rivers State Through "Back Door"

 Nigerian lawyer Liborous Oshoma has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a politically motivated move rather than a genuine effort to address insecurity. Oshoma made these remarks during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, accusing the federal government of contradicting its own principles and violating the constitution.

Oshoma argued that the state of emergency is not about tackling insecurity but rather a strategy to take over Rivers State through the "back door." He recalled that the federal government had previously approached the Supreme Court to prevent governors from suspending democratically elected local government chairmen. However, he noted the irony that the same government is now attempting to remove a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers under the guise of security concerns.

The lawyer further criticized the appointment of a sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, stating that allocating funds to an unelected official would violate the constitution. He said, “If it’s about insecurity, you’ll take charge of the affected areas and find solutions to the security challenges, not take over the entire state. This move is clearly about taking Rivers State through the back door.”

Oshoma also took aim at Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of making a reckless statement about “telling Rivers boys when to deploy.” He argued that such comments could be exploited by political opponents to justify federal intervention.

President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months. The decision was ratified by the National Assembly on Thursday, sparking widespread debate over its legality and motives.

Oshoma’s comments have added to the growing criticism of the federal government’s actions, with many questioning whether the move aligns with constitutional provisions or undermines democratic principles.

Follow QuickNewsNG for more updates on this developing story.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Namibia Celebrates Historic Milestone as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Becomes First Female President

  Namibia has ushered in a new era of leadership as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the country’s first female president on Friday. The historic event took place during Namibia’s 35th Independence Day celebration at the State House in Windhoek, with Chief Justice Peter Shivute administering the oath of office. The inauguration, originally scheduled for the Independence Stadium, was moved indoors due to heavy rainfall. Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, 83, formally handed over power to Nandi-Ndaitwah, marking the beginning of her tenure as Namibia’s fifth head of state. A Landslide Victory Nandi-Ndaitwah, popularly known as NNN, won last year’s presidential election with over 57% of the vote. Her closest rival, Panduleni Itula, garnered 26% but rejected the results, calling the election “deeply flawed.” Despite the controversy, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory represents a significant step forward for gender equality in Namibian politics. A Lifetime of Activism and Leadership Nandi-...
Read more

Senator Kingibe Criticizes Voice Vote in Ratification of Rivers State Emergency

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has strongly condemned the use of a voice vote by the National Assembly to ratify the state of emergency in Rivers State. The decision, which also upheld the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly, was made on Thursday by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In a statement released on Friday, the Labour Party lawmaker emphasized that such a critical constitutional matter requires a two-thirds majority vote, as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution, rather than a voice vote. Senator Kingibe argued that voice votes, where lawmakers simply say "Aye" or "Nay," cannot accurately determine the required supermajority. She cited Section 305(2) & (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that an emergency proclamation must be approved by at least two-thirds of all members of both the Senate and the House of R...
Read more

Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas Meets Traditional Rulers, Calls for Unity and Peace

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged traditional rulers in the state to refrain from partisan politics and focus on fostering peace and stability. Ibas made the call during a meeting with traditional rulers at the Government House in Port Harcourt, emphasizing the critical role they play in maintaining order and unity in the region. Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his deep commitment to restoring peace in Rivers State, describing the current instability as a painful reality. “As a former naval chief, my duty was to protect lives, and I remain committed to restoring peace in Rivers State,” he said. He assured the traditional rulers that his administration would work tirelessly to bring stability and pride back to the state. A Call for Collective Responsibility Ibas emphasized the need to curb the influence of individuals who prioritize personal gains over the collective well-being of the state. “A society without order is a...
Read more