Policy and political analyst, Living Jamala, has cautioned against attempts to use President Bola Tinubu’s 10-day working leave or the National Assembly recess as grounds to prolong the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.
In an interview with The Guardian, Jamala, who is also a lawyer, described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly as unconstitutional.
“Not conceding that the President was right in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, the procedure for ending it still lies with a proclamation by the President,” Jamala explained. “Even though he is on a 10-day working leave, wherever he is, he can make the declaration to restore democratic government.”
He emphasized that the emergency rule was set for a fixed duration and therefore cannot be extended arbitrarily.
“The regime was declared for six months. Once that period expires, the emergency automatically ends by the force of time. There is no provision requiring the National Assembly to sit and approve the termination. The President’s absence or the Assembly’s recess cannot dictate the end of the emergency,” he added.
No Fresh Oath for Fubara
Jamala also dismissed claims that Governor Fubara would need to take a new oath of office after the emergency lapses.
“Fubara doesn’t need a fresh oath. It’s like lifting a curfew in a state—the President only needs to declare that democratic governance has been restored. A fresh oath would unfairly disqualify him from contesting for a second term,” he warned.
He further clarified that Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) should report directly to President Tinubu, not to Governor Fubara.
“Ibas is accountable to the President, not the Governor,” Jamala stressed.
Vacancies in the Assembly
While noting that the State Assembly remains valid, Jamala highlighted the need to fill vacancies created by resignations.
“For instance, Edison Ehie resigned his position and left the Assembly. That seat must be filled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.
