In the wake of Nigeria’s escalating political crisis in Rivers State, the Rivers Peace Congress (RPC) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, describing the move as a decisive and lifesaving intervention that saved the region from imminent collapse.
The group, in a strongly worded statement released on Friday, May 16, 2025, credited the President’s actions with restoring peace, stability, and functional governance to a state that had become a flashpoint of legislative disobedience and executive overreach.
According to the statement signed by RPC’s National President, Comrade Randy Prince, Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and install a Sole Administrator was both constitutional and necessary, given the mounting threats to lives, public property, and democratic norms.
“The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State came at a time when the very fabric of governance was at risk. What we witnessed was a governor who ignored court rulings, sidelined the legislature, and plunged the state into a power tussle instead of providing leadership,” the statement noted.
RPC emphasized that before the federal action, Rivers was teetering on the edge of political chaos, with governance crippled and critical institutions either paralyzed or politicized. The appointment of Rear Admiral Ibim Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator has since, according to the group, sparked a revival in public service delivery and inter-agency cooperation.
“Rivers people can now go to sleep with both eyes closed. Ministries are back to work, civil servants are being paid without excuses, and public infrastructure projects have resumed after months of abandonment. We’re seeing the restoration of peace, not propaganda,” Prince added.
The RPC also addressed critics who have questioned the legality and democratic nature of the emergency measures. While acknowledging the concerns of international observers and civil society, the group argued that extraordinary times demand extraordinary leadership.
“Let us be honest — the judiciary was compromised, the state assembly had become a battleground, and political thuggery was on the rise. President Tinubu stepped in not out of self-interest, but to save democracy in one of Nigeria’s most strategic states,” Prince said.
The statement further commended Rear Admiral Ibas for demonstrating inclusive leadership and diplomatic engagement with all political factions, traditional rulers, and stakeholders across the state. His calm, focused approach has helped cool tensions and redirect attention to governance.
“He’s not chasing shadows. He’s rebuilding institutions and refocusing government on the people’s needs. His leadership is a breath of fresh air,” the group added.
The Rivers Peace Congress urged political elites, business leaders, and traditional institutions in the state to rally around the Sole Administrator and support the federal government’s roadmap for reconciliation and a return to full democratic governance.
“This is not the time for political grandstanding or ethnic politics. We need healing. The people have suffered enough. Let’s prioritize unity and development over individual ambition,” the group appealed.
The RPC concluded by encouraging the global community and human rights organizations to view the federal intervention in context and appreciate the strides made since the emergency was declared.
“Those who shout dictatorship from afar didn’t live through the fear that gripped our communities when government buildings were under siege and lawmakers were locked out. We did. And we know that this intervention was a necessary rescue mission.”
As Rivers State begins its gradual recovery, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the peace brokered by Tinubu’s decisive leadership can be sustained and eventually give way to a reconciled and reinvigorated democratic process.