Former Agriculture Minister and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Audu Ogbeh, has cautioned that appointing a retired naval chief to replace Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State could send the wrong signal that Nigeria is leaning toward military rule.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ogbeh criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly the reported suspension of the governor and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency.
Ogbeh emphasized the dangers of frequent emergency declarations, stating:
“The use of a state of emergency should be avoided as much as possible. It creates deep divisions and often leaves those affected feeling unfairly treated. Nigeria’s ethnic and political sensitivities demand caution in such decisions.”
He recalled similar cases in Ekiti and Plateau states under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that such interventions often fuel political tensions rather than resolve them.
Ogbeh urged President Tinubu to explore diplomatic solutions before resorting to drastic actions. He proposed that respected elders, community leaders, and stakeholders in Rivers State be engaged in dialogue to mediate the crisis.
“The president should have convened a final reconciliation meeting with key figures in Rivers State before opting for an emergency rule. Rivers is larger than any individual, and we must avoid plunging the Niger Delta into chaos,” he said.
The former minister questioned the trend of appointing military personnel to govern states under emergency rule, pointing out that this occurred under Obasanjo’s administration and is now being repeated.
“Why is it that each time a governor is suspended, a military officer is appointed? Do we miss military rule, or are we implying that civilians cannot govern themselves?”
He referenced the Boko Haram crisis in Borno State, where no emergency rule was imposed despite the severity of the situation.
Ogbeh also called on the National Assembly to clarify the legal framework surrounding a president’s power to suspend elected officials. He stressed the importance of individual voting records in legislative decisions, arguing that future generations should be able to hold lawmakers accountable.
“No single individual should have the power to remove an elected governor without due constitutional process. The people voted for their leader, and their mandate must be respected,” he stated.
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