Oshoma: Politicians Have Learnt Nothing From Rivers Emergency Rule

On Wednesday, legal practitioner Liborous Oshoma remarked that political figures have failed to learn any lessons from the interruption of democratic governance in Rivers State.

He mentioned this on Channels Television's "Politics Today," shortly after President Bola Tinubu ended the state of emergency in the oil-rich region.

"I don't believe the politicians have learned anything. Today, we've witnessed this occur in a PDP state because there's a former governor straddling both parties, with one foot in the PDP and another in the APC, making it an easy situation," Oshoma remarked.

On March 18, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Tinubu designated retired Naval Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to govern the state for six months due to ongoing political disputes since 2023, which had paralyzed the legislature.

Tinubu referenced Section 305(5) of the amended 1999 Constitution, highlighting the ongoing crisis that had disrupted the oil-rich state at that time.

Many political observers criticized the emergency declaration, arguing that it was unconstitutional. It also led to accusations of a power grab.

However, Oshoma felt that the declaration was unfair given that Fubara is a governor elected under the Peoples Democratic Party.

He contended that if the declaration had been made in a key state governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Tinubu, many would have deemed it fair.

He contended that the president could have declared a state of emergency without needing to suspend elected officials in the state.

The President has the authority to declare a state of emergency in Rivers without removing its duly elected government. It is possible to send police, DSS, and Army personnel to maintain peace while preserving the democratically elected administration.

The crisis in Rivers State mirrors the political turmoil we observe generally. However, the situation there was particularly intense, with instances where House of Assembly members were prevented by the governor from convening.

He stated, "If this had occurred in an APC state with a similar crisis between the House of Assembly and the governor resulting in a state of emergency, one might have anticipated fairness across the board."