The Peoples Democratic Party's state governors have directed their Attorney Generals to dispute President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that Section 305(3) of the Constitution is open to judicial interpretation. Following their Zoom meeting on Wednesday, the PDP Governors, in a communiqué signed by the Forum's Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and made accessible to journalists on Saturday, voiced their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State.
Rivers State has been under political instability for nearly two years, with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, vying for power, resulting in a governance impasse. Tinubu responded by declaring a state of emergency for the state on Tuesday evening. He called for order and suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected state assembly members for six months.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was named the new administrator. The PDP governors stated, "The Forum used the occasion to review President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's unfortunate proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State in his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and frowned at the purported suspension by the President of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and the Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring the rule of law in Nigeria; as a result, we have decided to instruct our Attorneys General in the PDP-controlled states to challenge Section 305 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended and subject it to judicial interpretation. "The Forum stands in solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state's political history."