By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has defended the imposition of of a State of Emergency on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing grave constitutional breaches and worsening security conditions.
The decision, described as a necessary step to prevent further deterioration, follows a Supreme Court judgment that found Governor Siminalayi Fubara guilty of acting like a “despot” and failing to uphold democratic governance.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Fagbemi defended the President’s decision, dismissing claims that the move was hasty.
He described the situation in Rivers as a crisis that had been left unresolved for too long.
“The events in Rivers State started long ago, and [President Tinubu] tried to intervene many times. Apart from that, well-meaning Nigerians, leaders of thought, and concerned citizens have also attempted to settle the matter without any result,” Fagbemi stated.
“The President came out boldly to say the situation cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
The crisis reached a tipping point following the Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which concluded that the Rivers governor had violated the Constitution by dismantling the state legislature.
“The Supreme Court made very profound findings of breaches of the Constitution, particularly against the governor,” the Attorney General explained.
“The governor took the law into his hands and demolished the House of Assembly. Since then, things have not been the same at all,” he said.
Fagbemi noted that the legislative arm of government plays a crucial role in democracy, including passing budgets, overseeing executive actions, and approving appointments.
However, he accused the Rivers governor of sidelining democratic institutions and replacing them with a handful of loyal lawmakers who operated from the Government House.
“In a community of 32, you expect at least 15 or 16 people to be there to do the job. Instead, the governor harboured three or four members, constituted them into the House of Assembly, and gave them preferential treatment,” he said.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was clear, Fagbemi stressed: “The governor’s behaviour was like a despot, and as the situation was, there was no government in Rivers.”
Security Threats and Oil Vandalism
Beyond the political crisis, the Attorney General highlighted the alarming security situation in Rivers, particularly the role of militants in vandalizing oil pipelines.
He accused the governor of emboldening criminal elements through his inaction.
“The governor beckoned to them that he would let them know when it was time to act. Did he come out to disown them? The answer is no,” Fagbemi declared.
He emphasized the national economic implications, revealing that Nigeria’s oil production had risen from 900,000 barrels per day to 1.5 million barrels per day under Tinubu’s administration, leading to a 60% increase in revenue allocations to states.
“Anyone who touches these pipelines is not only the enemy of Rivers but also the enemy of Nigeria,” Fagbemi said.
Justification for a State of Emergency
Addressing concerns about the legality of suspending the governor and the State House of Assembly, Fagbemi argued that extraordinary measures were required to address an extraordinary crisis.
“If the President had waited a day longer, only God knows what would have followed,” he said.
“The law envisages that you intervene when there is imminent danger to the security of lives and property. People were killing themselves. Those who live there are living in fear.”
He dismissed suggestions that Tinubu should have limited his intervention to securing oil pipelines.
“I’ve heard this funny argument that the President should have just gone there to secure the pipelines and then come back. The action of the President is the effect of a fundamental cause, and you cannot be treating the effect to cure the cause,” he argued.
“If it happens again, I will encourage Mr President to do the same, maybe this time with even greater vigour and vitality.”
Fagbemi called on Nigerians to set aside personal interests and focus on national unity.
“This is where I believe we should put on our patriotism cap. It shouldn’t be about individuals. It should be about Nigeria.”
