Rivers Emergency Rule: Bonny Development Forum Blows Hot, Urges Tinubu, NASS To Checkmate Sole Administrator Now

The Bonny Development Forum (BDF) has strongly condemned the recent actions of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene and reinstate Governor Sim Fubara.

They said that the sole administrator need to be call to order now following his recent activities on the controversial state of emergency declared on March 18, 2025 which had been widely condemned as both unwarranted and unconstitutional.

BDF, in a satatement by its President, Gift Alex Hart and Secretary, Patrick Jene Iwari, expressed grave concerns about the implications of President Tinubu’s decision to dismantle democratic structures in Rivers State, asserting that no real emergency warranted such drastic measures.

They describe the President’s actions as a “blatant misrepresentation of the 1999 Constitution” and a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.

The Forum frown at the notable increase in the centralization of power, leading to a suspension of rights and a growing military presence in the state.

They argued that the Sole Administrator has failed to fulfill any constitutional duties, instead perpetuating an environment of fear and uncertainty among residents that is discouraging investment and economic activity.

In their statement, the BDF highlighted several illegal actions taken by the Sole Administrator, including the dismissal of appointees of the suspended elected Governor and the arbitrary appointment of local government administrators.

They assert that such actions blatantly disregard the authority of the elected officials and violate Supreme Court orders.

The Forum further criticized the National Assembly for approving the emergency rule without a transparent voting process, questioning the legitimacy of the decision.

They expressed concern that the ongoing administration under the Sole Administrator mirrors a power grab orchestrated by President Tinubu’s government, undermining the principles of democracy in Nigeria.

“The actions taken by the Sole Administrator, supported by the federal government, reflect a deep conspiracy to usurp governance and dismantle democratic structures that the communities of Rivers State hold dear,” the press release stated.

The statement reads in full:

“The executives and members of the Bonny Development Forum, BDF, following the ill-fated declaration of a state of emergency on Rivers state, the unsavoury actions and impunity of the Sole administrator, silence of the Presidency and National Assembly and the adverse effect on our dear Rivers State has condemned all these in its strongest terms, expressing the need to revert to democratic governance, and tame the excesses of the Sole Administrator who is instigating crisis rather than promoting peace as mandated.

It is no longer news that On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu unconstitutionally proclaimed a state of emergency and dismantled democratic structures in Rivers State where no emergency existed.

This perversion has continued to have significant implications for governance and the everyday life of the people of our dear state.

Mr President’s action represents a blatant misrepresentation of the 1999 Constitution and constitutes a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria.

His actions have sparked up arbitrary centralization of power which has increased federal control over state governance, and facilitated suspension of rights in such a way that leads to potential limitations on free speech and assembly, including brazen military presence and sustained deployment of security forces that has impacted daily life and entrenched erosion of trust, with growing distrust in government decisions.

The directive which includes suspending the governor, deputy governor, and state assembly members for six months, with retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas appointed as the federally designated Sole Administrator has sparked up overwhelming opposition attracting public sentiment, especially on key aspects of the intervention, highlighting concerns about governance, democracy, and constitutional adherence.

We make bold to say that the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency rule via a voice vote instead of a headcount lacked transparency, sadly, the situation in Rivers State deduced as a reason for the state of emergency did not meet the constitutional threshold.

As bad as this undemocratic decision subsists, the people of Rivers State will continue to live in fear of the unknown. This has discouraged investors from coming in because they do not know what decision the federal government will come up with next that may affect business.

OUR CONCERN

As critical stakeholders of the wider Rivers state, we are concerned about these unsavory developments noticed since the Sole Administrator took office; he has done nothing to restore the so-called peace and order because there was no security threat to deflate. He has remained without any verifiable legitimate constitutional duty but rather has embarked on an indiscriminate dismantling of existing democratic structures and handing same over to a group preferred by the Presidency — in a clear case of orchestrated power grab.

In cheeky disrespect of the Supreme Court orders, Mr President directed the release of state funds to Rivers State despite the Supreme Court’s clear order to the CBN and Accountant General not to do so.

Despite Mr. President’s declaration that the Sole Administrator should not make new laws, only formulate regulations, the Administrator has acted outside these bounds. I doubt whether the Federal Executive Council has met to approve all his illegal actions that amount to gross violation of Presidential orders.

Appointees of the suspended elected Governor were unconstitutionally dismissed, even as the Sole Administrator who has no constitutional authority to prepare a state budget, especially with no House of Assembly to approve it went ahead with it.

You will recall that Mr President falsely claimed in his declaration broadcast that no action was being taken to rebuild the House of Assembly, despite near completion by Governor Fubara, as testified by the Sole administrator himself when he visited the complex.

The provocative appointment of local government administrators has taken executive irrationality to a whole new level, Local Government Sole Administrators were appointed to LGAs despite existing neutral administrative heads and Supreme Court orders mandating only democratically elected local governments.

Constitution of State Boards and Commissions, especially the Rivers State Electoral Commission and Local Government Service Commission, both stacked with known loyalists of Minister Nyesom Wike, further exposes the hidden agenda behind the state of emergency as control of local government has been a major issue in the political conflict.

Receipt and management of federal allocations as funds were received and spent without constitutional backing or oversight, the appointment of a New Secretary to the State Government, a role that constitutionally falls under the purview of an elected governor was flouted.

The Sole Administrator has made statements and issued directives as though elected, usurping the role of the Governor.

The question now is –
ARE THESE ILLEGAL ACTIONS CONSISTENT WITH A FELLOW SAID TO HAVE A SHORT-TERM MANDATE?

The Bonny Development Forum therefore condemns in its strongest terms, the recent “unlawful removal” of the elected Governor of Rivers State, allegedly orchestrated by the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration, a brazen act that undermines the democratic principles that our nation cherishes, jeopardizes the rule of law, and truncates the ability of the peace loving people of Rivers state from genuinely benefiting from the dividends of democracy.

The Bonny Development Forum, is using this medium to call on the Presidency, National Assembly and relevant authorities to checkmate the overbearing antecedents of the Sole Administrator of Rivers state, Ibas Ibokette and call him to order.

Failure will only mean one thing, that the popular belief that the Sole Administrator was enthroned to play the script of the President and his hatchet man in capturing governance, dismantling structures and entrenching gestapo style leadership in Rivers state, is true and his high handedness a reflection of the deep conspiracy to usurp governance.

There is therefore the urgent need for them to act now in order to avert a situation where things will degenerate to pushing the populace to take their destiny in their own hands. While we also call for the speedy return to democratic governance by recalling Governor Sim Fubara, we believe a stitch in time saves nine.
Thank you

Signed

Gift Alex Hart – President

Patrick Jene Iwari – Secretary