Mixed reactions trail end of Rivers emergency rule

…Fubara returning arsenic a conquered man, says CUPP

…Governance apt to suffer, warns Okorie

By John Alechenu, Abuja

Civil nine groups and absorption parties person expressed mixed feelings implicit the authorities of ideology successful Rivers State arsenic the six-month exigency regularisation imposed by the Federal Government expires connected Friday.

President Bola Tinubu had, connected March 18, 2025, declared a authorities of exigency successful Rivers pursuing a prolonged governmental situation betwixt the contiguous past politician and present Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

During the period, Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly were suspended from office, portion Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) was appointed sole head for six months. With the measurement acceptable to end, indications are beardown that the politician and lawmakers whitethorn soon beryllium reinstated.

“Fubara is returning arsenic a conquered man”

National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, said helium did not expect overmuch from Fubara’s return.

According to him, “The politician unluckily has surrendered to national might. He is present surrounded by persons whose loyalty is to Wike and the Abuja cabal. Democracy has been fixed a bloody nose, and Rivers radical person been cowed into submission.”

Ameh, besides a Labour Party chieftain, lamented that institutions of the national authorities were utilized to perpetuate illegality, including questionable section authorities elections nether subject supervision.

Okorie: Governance volition suffer

Similarly, founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said Rivers radical stay the victims of the crisis.

He argued: “Governance is bound to endure due to the fact that the politician gave up virtually everything successful the people of negotiations. For now, helium is acceptable to bash thing Wike and the President want, adjacent if it doesn’t payment the people.

“Throughout this episode, Fubara did not asseverate himself arsenic an elected governor. Compare him with President Tinubu erstwhile helium was politician of Lagos — Tinubu stood up to Obasanjo and thrived. Maybe Fubara volition find his dependable arsenic elections approach, possibly adjacent successful different party, to permission a legacy.”

Commentator: Emergency regularisation was unnecessary

Public affairs expert Israel Edache described the exigency regularisation arsenic unnecessary, saying it was a merchandise of governmental godfatherism.

“The measurement was imposed not due to the fact that of unrest but due to the fact that a godfather felt his governmental operation was being dismantled. It is simply a bittersweet reminder that politicians person learnt small from our history,” helium said.

Edache expressed uncertainty astir improvements successful governance upon Fubara’s return, noting: “I volition beryllium gladsome if helium proves maine wrong. Only God knows what became of the Nigerian Bar Association’s lawsuit against the exigency rule.”

The station Mixed reactions way extremity of Rivers exigency rule appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.