Rivers State emergency rule must end immediately, according to a civic organisation called Citizens’ Action for Democratic Restoration (CADR), which has warned that the federal government’s intervention has weakened constitutional order and heightened unrest in the oil-rich area.
President Bola Tinubu was criticised by the group, which was headed by National President Dr. Maryleen Ebere Okoro, for designating Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the only administrator.
According to them, the emergency rule is a “reckless overreach” that has exacerbated the Rivers crisis and suppressed popular will.
CADR criticised the administrator’s ongoing suspension of democratic institutions and imposition of unilateral rule without legislative or legal support in a statement released in Port Harcourt and made available to journalists on Saturday.
“President Tinubu may have wanted to stabilise the state when he declared emergency rule in Rivers, but any good intentions have been ruined by the appointment of a single administrator who has suspended state institutions, disregarded court orders, and intimidated peaceful protesters.
“This is occupation, not intervention anymore,” she stated. Since the emergency declaration on March 18, CADR has noted a number of concerning developments, including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the house of assembly; the mass dismissal of state executives and political appointees; the appointment of local government administrators in violation of ongoing court orders; and the repeated crackdowns on protest groups, especially those led by women and calling for a return to civil governance.
“Vice Admiral Ibas has destroyed Rivers State’s democratic framework. Hand-picked loyalists are being appointed to local councils. Nigerians are looking on in shock as Rivers State has turned into a dictatorship under federal cover.
Dr. Okoro went on to say that attempts to intimidate demonstrators only serve to highlight the government’s diminished moral authority. “It is no longer about peacekeeping when women with signs are tear-gassed.
It turns into repression supported by the state. We cannot use fear as a basis for unity. In response to growing criticism from civil rights organisations, legal professionals, and regular citizens, CADR also questioned the President’s silence. The group claims that the dispute could have been settled without jeopardising constitutional democracy through a proper stakeholder dialogue involving elected officials, civil society, and traditional rulers.
“The president would have gathered all pertinent parties in Rivers State to mediate a course of action if he had genuinely wanted peace.” He opted for exclusion and imposition instead.
She claimed that the decision was now backfiring and endangering national unity.
The group cautioned that permitting Ibas to remain in office while exercising emergency powers could create a risky precedent. It’s Rivers today. Any state with political differences could have it tomorrow.
“Our democracy is in serious danger if one man can overthrow an entire government through a federal decree,” Okoro stated. We implore President Tinubu to immediately revoke the emergency order, restore Fubara, and begin a peacebuilding process based on constitutional law because the situation in Rivers is not democratic.
“We have a clear message. The administrator needs to leave.
The emergency rule needs to be lifted. Nigerians did not sacrifice democracy for the return of decree-based governance. She said, “Enough is enough.”
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