The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing him of using recent pipeline attacks as a pretext to unseat Governor Siminalayi Fubara and take control of the oil-rich state.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees and the expanded National Executive Committee on Wednesday, PANDEF described the President’s actions as a betrayal of the Niger Delta people and an unwarranted attack on democratic governance. The group expressed its displeasure over the move, arguing that it lacked justification and was an infringement on the democratic process.
The President had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a series of pipeline explosions, which were framed as a security threat. However, PANDEF has sharply rejected this justification, pointing out that pipeline attacks have occurred in different parts of the country over the years without any similar declarations of emergency.
PANDEF’s statement highlighted the seeming inconsistency in the application of emergency rule. According to the group, while there have been regular attacks on infrastructure in northern Nigeria, especially in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, there has been no declaration of a state of emergency in those areas. This led PANDEF to question the selective nature of the President’s action, suggesting that it was politically motivated and aimed at undermining the democratically elected leadership in Rivers State.
The group noted that various Nigerian states, particularly in the north, have been enduring constant threats to their security without any intervention or special federal controls. In this light, PANDEF described the emergency declaration as both “discriminatory” and “unjustifiable,” pointing to the lack of a clear and direct correlation between the pipeline attack and the suspension of the state’s democratic institutions.
One of the central criticisms levelled by PANDEF was the immediate militarization of Rivers State following the emergency declaration. The group highlighted that no thorough investigation had been conducted into the cause of the pipeline explosion before the government took drastic action. PANDEF argued that rushing into such a measure without due process only deepens the suspicion that the emergency rule was imposed for political reasons rather than security concerns.
The timing of the declaration also raised eyebrows. PANDEF noted that the state assembly had recently adjourned after Governor Fubara complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling and the President’s directive to present the 2025 state budget to the assembly. Shortly after, the assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor, which PANDEF said looked suspicious and linked to the broader political motives behind the emergency declaration.
PANDEF’s communiqué drew attention to the fact that the recent suspension of elected officials, including the governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, came just days after Fubara followed legal instructions to present the state’s budget. This sequence of events, PANDEF claimed, raised serious questions about the true intentions behind the emergency declaration. The group insinuated that the declaration was designed to sideline Governor Fubara and place the state under the control of political interests aligned with the federal government, thus consolidating power and diminishing the autonomy of Rivers State.
The statement further pointed out the irony of Tinubu’s past stance on state of emergency declarations. During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Tinubu had sharply criticized the use of emergency rule in some states, accusing Jonathan’s government of using such measures to undermine elected state governments and push partisan agendas. PANDEF now claims that the current administration under Tinubu is doing exactly what it once condemned.
In its communiqué, PANDEF called on the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, to take a stand against what it termed an “onslaught on democratic governance.” The group urged the legislature to reject the state of emergency declaration, emphasizing that it was a direct attack on the country’s democratic framework and the people’s right to choose their leaders.
PANDEF called on lawmakers to show courage and stand up for truth, resisting what they considered an unprecedented assault on the political rights of Nigerians, particularly those in Rivers State. The organization emphasized that this was not just a matter for Rivers but for the entire nation, as it posed a serious threat to the integrity of democratic institutions across the country.
Despite the strong condemnation, PANDEF reiterated its commitment to resolving the crisis in a peaceful manner. The group stated that it would continue to explore all constitutional remedies to challenge the emergency rule in Rivers State. It stressed that its goal was not to escalate tensions but to seek a fair and legal resolution to the issue, in line with Nigeria’s constitution.
“We will not shy away from seeking peaceful solutions, but we will also ensure that all constitutional avenues are pursued to protect our people’s rights,” the group stated.
PANDEF also expressed its ongoing solidarity with the people of Rivers State, offering prayers and support as they navigate the difficult situation caused by the state of emergency. The group called on other Nigerians to stand together in defending democratic principles, urging citizens not to lose hope despite the challenges they faced.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history. With PANDEF’s strong reaction, it is clear that the move has sparked a deep division among Nigerian political leaders and civil society groups. While the government argues that the action was necessary for national security, many in the Niger Delta region, especially groups like PANDEF, view it as an overreach that undermines the principles of democratic governance.
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes will be on the National Assembly and the judiciary to see how they will respond to the growing opposition to the emergency rule in Rivers State. The ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and the protection of democratic rights in Nigeria.
