RIVERS CRISIS IS A NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC EMERGENCY, CNPP AND CIVIL SOCIETY WARN

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations have issued a stark warning that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State represents a serious threat to national peace and Nigeria’s democracy. Addressing journalists at a joint press conference, the groups said their intervention was compelled by a solemn patriotic duty to defend constitutional democracy and protect the mandate of the people of Rivers State.

“What is unfolding in Rivers State goes far beyond local politics,” the groups declared. “It represents a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, separation of powers, and democratic stability.” They stated that the turmoil is not a result of governance failure by Governor Siminalayi Fubara but is “the product of a calculated political project aimed at seizing control of state power through the manipulation of legislative institutions.”

The organisations emphatically stated there is no constitutional basis for the impeachment moves against the governor. “Let us be clear,” they stated, “Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not committed any act that meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. There is no credible allegation of gross misconduct.” They described the situation as “the weaponisation of a State House of Assembly as an instrument of political conquest rather than a guardian of democracy,” warning that this development is “not only reckless; it is extremely dangerous to Nigeria’s national peace.”

The groups cautioned about the far-reaching consequences if the Rivers scenario stands. “If the Rivers State template is allowed to stand—where a legislature is openly deployed to intimidate, destabilise, and remove a sitting governor for political and financial control—then Nigeria risks sliding into a future where state assemblies across the country become battlegrounds for elite power struggles,” they warned. “If every governor becomes vulnerable to impeachment at the whim of external political forces, where then is the sovereignty of the people?”

They raised grave concerns over allegations of conditional political settlements, citing claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, imposed conditions on the governor to halt impeachment proceedings. “These allegations strongly suggest that the crisis is not about governance or accountability but about control—control of federal allocations, control of internally generated revenue, and control of political power in Rivers State,” the groups stressed.

On financial accountability, the CNPP and CNCSOs provided figures, stating the state “reportedly received no less than ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025.” They expressed concern that probes into expenditure during the emergency rule were “merely cosmetic.” They further alleged that “state resources were shared during the emergency rule, with lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister allegedly receiving as much as ₦350 million each,” which they said would amount to “a betrayal of public trust on a scale that demands urgent national attention.”

Issuing a direct call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the groups said, “Mr President, this is no longer just a Rivers State issue. It is a national democratic emergency.” They warned that failure to act would risk “legitimising legislative anarchy and encouraging similar crises across other states, with dire consequences for national unity and peace.”

The CNPP and CNCSOs demanded the immediate termination of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, independent investigations into the conduct of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a presidential probe into allegations of conditional settlements, and a comprehensive forensic audit of all funds during the emergency rule.

In a strongly worded conclusion, the groups warned that “impeachment without just cause is political banditry,” adding that “the continued weaponisation of legislative institutions is a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy and national peace.” They cautioned, “If Rivers State is allowed to descend further into this crisis, Nigeria risks setting a precedent that could destabilise the entire federation.”

They ended with a rallying call: “Governor Siminalayi Fubara must be allowed to govern. Rivers State must be allowed to breathe. Nigeria’s democracy must be protected. Enough is enough. Let the Governor govern. Let Rivers State develop. Let Nigeria’s democracy survive.”