The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had no role in the political crisis that led to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, Fagbemi also confirmed that the state’s federal allocations—previously withheld—would be released if requested by Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.), the newly appointed sole administrator of the state.
He justified the emergency rule, stating that it was necessary to prevent further chaos, accusing the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of inciting militants to sabotage oil pipelines.
Wike Not Involved in Rivers Crisis
Dismissing claims that Wike played a part in the crisis, Fagbemi said:
“Was he the one who ordered the demolition of the House of Assembly? Did he advise the governor not to seek legislative approval for his budget or commissioner nominees? The Supreme Court’s findings did not mention the FCT minister.”
He urged the public to review the court’s ruling, emphasizing that the crisis stemmed from Fubara’s actions, not external interference.
Supreme Court’s Findings Against Fubara
Tracing the origins of the crisis, Fagbemi stated that Rivers’ governance had been unstable since late 2023. He accused Fubara of dismantling the legislative process by demolishing the House of Assembly and sidelining lawmakers.
“The Supreme Court found multiple constitutional breaches by the governor. He unilaterally relocated a handful of lawmakers to the Government House, effectively paralyzing legislative functions,” he said.
Fagbemi added that Fubara’s actions, including disregarding the Assembly’s oversight role, led to governance failure, prompting the President’s intervention.
Allegations of Sabotage and Security Concerns
The AGF also accused Fubara of emboldening militants:
“The governor signaled to them, implying he would let them know when to act. A week later, oil pipelines were vandalized. He neither condemned nor distanced himself from these acts.”
Fagbemi highlighted that oil production had risen from 900,000 to 1.5 million barrels per day under Tinubu’s administration, increasing state revenues. He warned that attacks on oil infrastructure harm the entire nation, not just Rivers State.
Justification for Emergency Rule
Defending Tinubu’s decision, Fagbemi argued that the President acted responsibly to prevent further deterioration:
“If he had waited another day, the situation could have worsened. As Commander-in-Chief, he had to act to safeguard lives and infrastructure.”
He also dismissed concerns about the removal of the governor and legislature, insisting that their actions necessitated strong measures:
“This crisis wasn’t about securing pipelines alone—it was about restoring governance. The President’s decision was based on Supreme Court rulings and the inability of state leaders to create a stable environment.”
Warning to Other States
Fagbemi described the emergency rule as a warning to other states, asserting that the federal government would take similar action against any state where governance collapses:
“This is about Nigeria, not individuals. Rivers is today’s focus, but any state undermining democracy should take note. If such crises arise elsewhere, stronger actions may follow.”
He concluded by urging the National Assembly to approve the emergency declaration, emphasizing that the decision was made in the interest of national stability.
