PDP governors slam Tinubu’s silence on Wike’s role in Rivers crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials in Rivers State, calling it a direct assault on democracy.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Forum also criticized Tinubu’s silence on the role of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in the crisis, accusing him of acting with impunity under presidential protection.

The governors noted that while Tinubu’s nationwide address on Tuesday announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers for six months, it made no mention of Wike, despite widespread acknowledgment of his involvement in the conflict.

“The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025,” the statement read.

“We stand in solidarity with His Excellency, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history. There is no other time that our philosophy of ‘TOUCH ONE, TOUCH ALL’ is more apt than now.”

The PDP governors accused the President of bias, alleging that Wike’s unchecked actions in the crisis suggested he was executing Tinubu’s script.

“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive,” the statement added.

The Forum further warned that Tinubu’s action threatens Nigeria’s democracy, increases security risks, and undermines the economy.

Describing the President’s decision as “unwarranted and premeditated,” the governors aligned with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has condemned the move as unconstitutional.

“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in its response signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has already expressed grave concern about 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 NBA affirmed their commitment to upholding the Constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria. In their words, ‘A state of emergency is an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits. The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable.’”

The PDP governors vowed to challenge the matter in court, stressing that Section 305 (3) of the 1999 Constitution must be subjected to judicial interpretation.

“Mr. President is therefore called upon to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason, as well as accept that he made grievous mistakes and acted in haste, and reverse this atrocious and retrograde decision before it is too late,” the Forum stated.

The Rivers crisis has deepened political tensions in Nigeria, with growing concerns over the implications of the emergency rule imposed on the oil-rich state.