The All Progressives Congress has thrown its full support behind President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of stripping himself of all constitutional protections that come with his office, ultimately leading to the federal intervention.
In a statement released on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka outlined how Fubara’s actions rendered governance in the state untenable, pointing to his decision to dismantle the Rivers State House of Assembly as the tipping point.
“When he brazenly demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara destroyed the very foundation of democracy in the state,” Morka said. “When he ‘governed’ the state without a legislature, Fubara ended government in the state. When he expended state funds without valid legislative appropriation, Fubara stripped himself of all constitutional protections of the office of Governor,” Morka added.
The APC spokesperson stressed that governance is only possible when all three arms of government—the executive, legislative, and judiciary—function cohesively. By removing the legislature from the equation, Fubara’s actions left the state without a functioning government, as confirmed by the Supreme Court.
“There cannot be a governor without a legislature and the judiciary. All three arms of government, although separate in their constitutional powers, must co-exist in order to have a government known to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Morka stated. “As the Supreme Court confirmed, there was no government in the state, and there had not been a government since Fubara destroyed the state legislature,” he continued.
Defending President Tinubu’s move, Morka argued that the declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary and constitutionally-backed measure to restore governance and ensure the safety and well-being of Rivers residents. He emphasized that Fubara’s reckless actions had directly set the stage for the emergency rule.
“By his reckless actions, Fubara asked for and set the stage for this outcome,” Morka asserted. “The declaration of a state of emergency, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a necessary, constitutionally-backed measure to protect lives and property, and extend governance to the good people of Rivers State.”
In closing, the APC praised President Tinubu for his decisive leadership, stating that his intervention had averted a potential collapse of law and order in Rivers. “Again, President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and leadership in forestalling a looming breakdown of law and order in the state,” the statement added.
