Rivers State: Fubara’s return sparks legal debate

Two lawyers, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a member of the APC and former presidential aide, and Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a clergyman and commentator, have expressed very different opinions about the end of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State and the future of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking in Calabar on Monday, Obono-Obla said the emergency was lawful and necessary.

He explained that tough steps were required to restore peace and order in the state.

“Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. Six months was enough to clean up Rivers State,” he said.

He added that suspending the governor and legislature, and appointing a sole administrator, were constitutional measures to reset governance.

According to him, the move was not against democracy but meant to protect it.
Obono-Obla also said Fubara now has a chance to return stronger.

“The governor has had time to reflect and reconcile. He can now come back with humility and renewed purpose,” he added.
But Justice Ahiakwo disagreed strongly, saying the intervention caused more harm than good.

“Instead of restoring normalcy, the emergency rule was used to control Rivers’ resources and weaken the governor,” he said.

He described it as an abuse of constitutional power. “My heart bleeds at the misuse of Section 305, which left the state without proper leadership and the people in pain,” he lamented.
Ahiakwo compared it to past undemocratic takeovers.

“This was not about security. It was more like a political coup that undermines the people’s mandate,”