News

‘We Will Not Take Sides’ – Nigeria Governors Forum Speaks On Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

Mar 22, 2025.

Nigeria Governors Forum Speaks On Emergency Rule

Nigeria Governors Forum Speaks On Emergency Rule In Rivers.
Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, appointed Sole Administrator.
NGF calls for public confidence in crisis management efforts.

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has distanced itself from taking a position on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that its role is to promote unified policies and collaborate for sustainable development rather than engage in partisan conflicts.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement on Saturday, NGF Director General Abdulateef Shittu emphasized that the forum does not involve itself in divisive political matters.

“Taking positions on partisan issues, regardless of how they are framed, reflects a poor understanding of history,” Shittu stated.

Rivers State has been engulfed in political instability for nearly two years due to a power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara. The crisis escalated into a governance deadlock, leading President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Following the declaration, Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly were suspended for six months. In their place, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

While avoiding direct commentary on the state of emergency, the NGF urged the public and the media to exercise patience and confidence in the crisis management measures put in place.

“The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with stakeholders for sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people,” the statement read.

The NGF stressed that it remains a technical and policy-driven institution composed of governors from different political backgrounds, and it will not take sides in contentious political disputes.

“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on partisan matters would mean a poor sense of history—just a few years after the Forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members,” the statement added.

Nigeria Governors Forum Speaks On Emergency Rule

Despite maintaining neutrality on the Rivers State crisis, the NGF reaffirmed its commitment to taking strong stances on governance and policy matters, including wages, taxation, education, and healthcare.

The statement concluded by emphasizing the forum’s dedication to working towards the betterment of governance and national development.