{"id":155963,"date":"2025-03-21T09:49:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/uncategorized\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced"},"modified":"2025-04-03T18:33:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:33:03","slug":"declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced","title":{"rendered":"Declaration of emergency in Rivers political coup, sack Wike for justice \u2013 CHRICED"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Nigeria. <\/strong><\/span>The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a political coup against the electorate.<\/p>\n

The civil society organization has also demanded the immediate dismissal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom it accuses of being the mastermind behind the political crisis in the state.<\/p>\n

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED argued that Tinubu\u2019s action was unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent that undermines Nigeria\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis move constitutes a blatant affront to the rights of the citizens of Rivers State, who have exercised their democratic right to elect their representatives,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy instituting emergency rule in Rivers, President Tinubu appears to endorse military coups, undermining his credibility to criticize similar actions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHRICED noted that while Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency, it does not authorize him to suspend an elected governor, deputy governor, or state assembly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Tinubu has brazenly contravened the 1999 Constitution, which he pledged to uphold, by suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,\u201d the organization stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a defined procedure for removing a governor, which includes impeachment by the State House of Assembly with a two-thirds majority, involvement of the Chief Judge, and an investigative panel. None of these legal processes were followed.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHRICED also criticized what it described as the President\u2019s one-sided approach to the Rivers crisis, accusing him of favoring Wike, a member of his cabinet, over the elected government in the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is public knowledge that this crisis was initiated and perpetuated by the political godfather of Governor Fubara, Barrister Nyesom Wike,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWike\u2019s deliberate actions in destabilizing Rivers State simply because Fubara dared to assert his independence are condemnable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group questioned why Wike remains in office while Fubara and other elected officials have been suspended.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no ethical basis for President Tinubu to keep Wike in his ministerial role while suspending the governor and the entire House of Assembly. This selective enforcement of accountability undermines any assertion of fairness and justice,\u201d CHRICED said.<\/p>\n

The group further warned that the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State could set a dangerous precedent, allowing the federal government to interfere in opposition-led states.<\/p>\n

It cited Kano as another example of political interference, referencing the emirate crisis, which it argued was fueled by federal backing for the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy utilizing the police and judiciary against opposition-led states, the APC-led federal government is undermining democratic principles. This troubling development casts significant doubt on President Tinubu\u2019s reputation as a purported defender of democracy,\u201d CHRICED stated.<\/p>\n

The organization also cautioned that the decision could have dire economic consequences, particularly in the Niger Delta.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this decision is not overturned, it may signify a return to outright dictatorship. Moreover, prolonged political turmoil in Rivers State could jeopardize the hard-won peace in the Niger Delta and hinder economic progress,\u201d it warned.<\/p>\n

CHRICED insisted that any genuine effort to restore order in Rivers must start with holding all responsible parties accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Tinubu must demonstrate true leadership in addressing the political crisis in Rivers State. If accountability is to be enforced, why has Wike not faced consequences while Governor Fubara and his government were suspended?\u201d the group asked.<\/p>\n

It called for Wike\u2019s immediate dismissal as Minister of the Federal Republic and a thorough investigation into his role in the crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sincere effort to restore order must start with holding all responsible parties accountable, not just those deemed politically vulnerable,\u201d CHRICED stated.<\/p>\n

As a civil society organization committed to justice and the rule of law, CHRICED reiterated its demand for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.<\/p>\n

It also urged the federal government to stop interfering in the affairs of opposition-controlled states.<\/p>\n

Finally, CHRICED appealed to President Tinubu\u2019s government to uphold justice and fairness, citing a Quranic injunction as a reminder:<\/p>\n

\u201cO ye who believe! Be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against your parents and kindred… Follow not your low desires that you may be able to act equitably\u201d (Quran 4:136).<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Nigeria<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a political coup against the electorate. The civil society organization has also demanded the immediate dismissal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":155962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,29,28,14,2660],"tags":[15877,254,454],"class_list":["post-155963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-homepage-english","category-policy","category-to-homepage","tag-chriced","tag-nigeria","tag-wike"],"yoast_head":"\nDeclaration of emergency in Rivers political coup, sack Wike for justice \u2013 CHRICED - Nigeria<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s declarati ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Declaration of emergency in Rivers political coup, sack Wike for justice \u2013 CHRICED\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s declarati ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Nigeria\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-21T08:49:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-03T17:33:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/sites\/3\/2025\/03\/sm_1742539029.933651.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"405\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"cfeditoren\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/#\/schema\/person\/068c7ab4e9634ae78ec5d54ec46598bb\"},\"headline\":\"Declaration of emergency in Rivers political coup, sack Wike for justice \u2013 CHRICED\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-21T08:49:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-03T17:33:03+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\"},\"wordCount\":763,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/sites\/3\/2025\/03\/sm_1742539029.933651.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"CHRICED\",\"Nigeria\",\"Wike\"],\"articleSection\":[\"all news\",\"head lines\",\"homepage-english\",\"Policy\",\"to-homepage\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/policy\/declaration-of-emergency-in-rivers-political-coup-sack-wike-for-justice-chriced\",\"name\":\"Declaration of emergency in Rivers political coup, sack Wike for justice \u2013 CHRICED - 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