JUST IN: FG Defends Tinubu’s Move on Rivers Crisis, Speaks on Fubara’s Future [VIDEO]

The Federal Government has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying the move was necessary to address the ongoing political crisis. 

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, on Wednesday dismissed claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was responsible for the crisis.

He insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions led to the situation. 

On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. He also appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (Rtd.), as the sole administrator of the state. 

Speaking to State House correspondents, Fagbemi argued that Fubara brought the crisis upon himself by taking illegal actions, including the destruction of the State House of Assembly complex. 

“There are occasions when it comes to national issues. We have to come out plainly. Was Wike the one that asked the State Assembly to be demolished? I don’t see the hand of the Minister of the FCT in what happened,” he said. 

He further stated that the Supreme Court had ruled that Fubara anticipated an impeachment attempt and demolished the Assembly complex to prevent it. 

“If the Supreme Court had concluded that there was no government in Rivers, then there was nothing a responsible leader could have done other than to take the decision of Tuesday. The President took a very bold decision. As things stand, we have a duty to give maximum respect to the judgement of the Supreme Court,” Fagbemi added. 

Fagbemi advised those opposed to the emergency rule to take their grievances to the National Assembly, which has the final say on the president’s decision. 

“If the National Assembly feels what the President did was not okay, he will not have two-thirds from the National Assembly. We are expecting that within 48 hours something will come out,” he explained. 

Fagbemi insisted that suspending Fubara and other political actors was necessary to send a strong message against lawlessness. 

“It’s Rivers State today; it can be anybody’s turn tomorrow. Let the signal be clearly sent for those who want to foment trouble to think twice. I return the resounding ‘no’ question that the governor and deputy should have been spared,” he stated. 

Regarding the impeachment process against Fubara, Fagbemi noted that the governor was already facing removal by the House of Assembly. Fagbemi said the suspension of the political actors in the state can therefore be seen as a compromise.

“There was notice of impeachment from the House of Assembly. If that impeachment had been allowed to run its full course, then the governor (Fubara) would have lost entirely and completely. So, in a way, if you say it’s a compromise, I would agree,” he said.