In Support of Fubara, the PDP Governor's Forum Questions the President's Silence on Wike's Involvement in the Political Crisis in Rivers.

The PDP Governor’s Forum has expressed significant concern regarding President Tinubu's actions related to the political crisis in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of the PDP Governor. The forum has raised questions about the President's silence concerning the involvement of his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the Rivers situation, which they perceive as both supportive and enabling. They regard the FCT Minister as acting independently, as he appears to be executing the President's agenda. “Now we know,” stated the PDP Governors in response to the suspension of Fubara. This statement was issued by the forum's chairman, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State. The statement asserts, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) expresses deep concern and dismay over the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his nationwide address on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. “We stand united with His Excellency, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the citizens of Rivers during this challenging period in the state's political landscape. There has never been a more appropriate time for our philosophy of ‘TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL’ than now. “Those who seek justice must approach it with integrity. Mr. President, your silence regarding the significant role of your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers crisis is both supportive and enabling. He has assumed a position of authority independent of the law, as he is following your directives. Now we understand. This behavior is entirely unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive. “We firmly declare that this unjust and premeditated assault on Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party, and other opposition parties represents a grave threat to democracy in Nigeria. It is a harmful course of action that will not benefit anyone. Such actions jeopardize our hard-won democracy, intensify national crises, foster distrust, heighten security risks, and undermine our economy, national unity, and stability. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through a statement issued by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has voiced significant concern regarding the alleged suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and the Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President. The NBA reiterated its dedication to upholding the Constitution, protecting democratic governance, and ensuring the rule of law is maintained in Nigeria. They stated, “A state of emergency is an exceptional measure that must be implemented strictly within constitutional boundaries. The removal of elected officials under the guise of emergency rule is both unconstitutional and intolerable.” “The Forum fully supports the NBA's position and commits to seeking judicial interpretation of Section 305 (3) of the Constitution. This authoritarian maneuver is unacceptable and cannot be permitted to persist. “The President is urged to heed wise counsel and the voice of reason, acknowledging the serious errors made in haste, and to reverse this egregious and regressive decision before it is too late.”