By Jethro Ibileke
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has distanced himself from the position of his colleagues in the South-South Governors’ Forum, over the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
The Forum had condemned the declaration by the President.
But, a statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo on Thursday, said Governor Okpebholo was neither consulted, nor informed before taking the position.
“While Governor Monday Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other Governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake.
“l Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone,” the statement said.
The South-South Governors’ Forum had in a statement in a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Wednesday asked President Tinubu to reverse the imposition of emergency rule on Rivers and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
While acknowledging President’s constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order across the country, the Forum questioned whether the situation in Rivers State meets the constitutional threshold for such a declaration.
According to the Forum, based on Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), a state of emergency should only be declared under extreme circumstances, such as war, external aggression, an imminent invasion, or a severe breakdown of public order.
The Forum added that the Constitution provides specific procedures for removing a governor and deputy governor, as well as dissolving parliament, which may not have been followed in the current situation.
The Forum also added that the political disputes in Rivers State can be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than executive fiat.
It also advocated for dialogue to solve the crisis in Rivers.
