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VENO NEWS: Rivers State Crisis: Suspended Governor Should Thank His "Chi"
Date: 21-03-25

By Kunle Rasheed

It is evident to both the blind and the deaf that the heart of Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State is witnessing a storm, a storm that is not of rain, but of political intrigue and power plays.

While many onlookers and stakeholders of the oil-rich state were aware of the imminent trouble brewing, the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu sent shockwaves through the nation. The announcement saw the Governor, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly being suspended. Yet, beneath the surface lies a twist that many may have overlooked. I have seen those who claim to love Governor Siminalayi Fubara condemning, in strong terms, the president’s decision to resurrect his constitutional powers under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended). But unknown to them, this very declaration is the lifeline Fubara desperately needed to cling on despirately to remain in power, despite being rendered powerless for now.

Before this, the Rivers State House of Assembly—a battleground of loyalty and betrayal—was poised to give Fubara the boot, a move that seemed inevitable within days. The usual allegations of executive overreach, financial mismanagement, and security lapses were cited as reasons for the Assembly’s actions. But those who know the game understand that it was the godfather that was pulling the strings and beating the drum of war. The Assembly, largely loyal to Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, had sharpened its knives, ready to strike when the declaration surfaced. The impeachment proceedings were not just whispers, they were a roaring storm, threatening to sweep Fubara out of office.

The state of emergency, however, freezes the political chessboard. With the House of Assembly suspended, the impeachment plot is effectively neutralized and may never rear its ugly nose again. Fubara, though temporarily sidelined, finds himself shielded from the immediate threat of removal. He should get down on his knees and thank his Chi (god) and the president for saving him from the disgrace of being ousted.

It’s indeed a paradoxical twist: the very act that strips him of power also saves him from losing it entirely.

But let’s not forget the drama that led to this point. The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly building by Fubara in December 2023 was a bold, controversial move. Critics called it an act of desperation; supporters saw it as a necessary reset. The Supreme Court’s ruling in February 2025, however, further complicated matters when it declared the collapse of the legislature a constitutional breach. The stage was then set for a showdown before the state of emergency became the turning point that changed the narrative.

As a budding lawyer, I am not here to question the legality or otherwise of Mr. President’s decision to suspend elected officials. But as Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) takes the reins as Administrator, the people of Rivers State have no choice but to watch and wait. Will this period of emergency rule bring stability, or will it deepen the crisis? I doubt it. To me, the emergency rule period will afford both parties the opportunity to come together and resolve their differences, with Tinubu still playing the role of arbitrator.

This could allow Fubara to emerge from this political storm stronger, or turn him into the "gbewudani" of Abuja big boy, his tormentor-in-chief.

The state of emergency is not just a declaration—it’s a twist in a story that continues to unfold. And as the drama plays out, the nation watches, captivated by the high-stakes game of power and survival.
Enough said for now!

This is still Kunle Rasheed reporting Live from my inner mind

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