The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as politically motivated and unnecessary.
The group called on Tinubu to closely monitor the actions of his political appointees, particularly ministers, to ensure they are working in the best interest of his administration and not pursuing personal agendas that could affect his chances in the 2027 elections.
The National President/CEO of ND-PYLF, Chief Diplomat, Adam Ogomugo Marbo, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, said that the political conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike required a political resolution rather than an emergency declaration.
The group also condemned the National Assembly for failing to challenge the emergency declaration, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of neglecting their constitutional duty.
Marbo urged Tinubu to withdraw the emergency declaration and instead establish an independent Presidential Reconciliation Committee to mediate between Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He said: “There is no doubt that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria. However, the constitution does not grant the president the power to suspend an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of the legislature.
“The power to declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the constitution is not absolute. That is why Section 305(1) uses the phrase ‘subject to the provisions of this Constitution.’ The president is not the employer of the governor or deputy governor of Rivers State, nor is he the employer of the members of the State House of Assembly.
“The power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria, or even across the entire country, must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and must not be exercised in flagrant violation of the same Constitution.
“This clearly shows that Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, the current Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice of Nigeria, has failed in his duties and responsibilities to advise President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the proper interpretation of the Nigerian Constitution regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.”
Marbo also urged Tinubu to scrutinize his ministers and political aides, warning that their actions could damage his administration’s credibility and electoral prospects.
He added, “We calls on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to be vigilant and monitor the body language of all his political appointees, most importantly the ministers, to checkmate any activities that are inimical to his re-election in 2027.
“ND-PYLF will continue to stand tall in defense of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and ensure that, in 2027, Southern Nigeria maintains the presidency until 2031.”
He warned youths against bombing oil pipelines in the region, emphasizing that it does not resolve political differences but instead worsens the situation.
