Human rights activist and lawyer, Chetam Nwala, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was politically motivated rather than aimed at restoring stability.
Nwala made the claim on Tuesday while speaking on The Morning Brief, a programme aired on Channels Television, arguing that the decision was designed to advance the President’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the emergency rule imposed on the oil-rich state had little to do with resolving the lingering political crisis and was instead a calculated move to consolidate political control.
“I have consistently maintained that the declaration of emergency was purely political. It had nothing to do with stabilising Rivers State,” Nwala said.
He added that the move was intended to safeguard Tinubu’s 2027 ambition by ensuring political dominance within Rivers State.
Suspension of Fubara, Lawmakers
President Tinubu, in March 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid an escalating political crisis. The decision sparked nationwide debate, with critics questioning both its constitutionality and political implications.
Nwala further alleged that the emergency rule significantly weakened Governor Fubara’s political standing, forcing him into alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We have seen what happened to the governor. He was politically weakened and returned like a wounded, defeated lion,” Nwala said.
He claimed that Fubara eventually defected to the APC to work with the President, a development he described as the ultimate goal of the emergency declaration.
According to Nwala, the President showed little concern for the economic consequences of the emergency rule on Rivers State, focusing instead on securing political loyalty.
“He didn’t care whether the Rivers economy was suffering. The priority was to ensure the governor joined his party, and that objective was achieved,” he added.
