Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo Breaks Ranks With South-South Governors On Tinubu's Emergency Declaration

Scope 02 Apr 2025

Okpebholo Stands Alone: Disagrees with South-South Governors on Emergency Declaration

Listen up, folks: The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has made it crystal clear that he doesn’t agree with the South-South Governors Forum when it comes to President Bola Tinubu's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move, aimed at resolving a political storm involving key figures like Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, has sparked a lot of debate across the region.

Let me break it down for you: On March 18, President Tinubu stepped in and declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. His goal? To stabilize the political chaos brewing between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the House of Assembly. It was a bold move, and not everyone was on board.

South-South Governors Forum Says "No Way"

Now, here’s the kicker: The South-South Governors Forum wasn’t having it. They came out swinging, rejecting President Tinubu’s decision. Their argument? The current political atmosphere in Rivers State doesn’t warrant such an extreme measure. It was a strong stance, but not everyone in the forum agreed.

Read also:
David Mccallums Net Worth 2024 The Journey Of A Legendary Actor

Governor Okpebholo, however, wasn’t down with the decision made by his peers. In a statement released on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo made his position crystal clear. He emphasized that he wasn’t consulted or even informed before the South-South governors took their stance. That’s a pretty big deal when you’re part of a collective decision-making body.

Okpebholo Backs Tinubu’s Move

But here’s the twist—Governor Okpebholo isn’t just standing aside; he’s fully supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to bring peace and long-term solutions to Rivers State and the entire South-South region. In his statement, Okpebholo made sure everyone knew that he didn’t endorse the forum’s position. He stressed that he wasn’t consulted or informed about their decision-making process.

In the statement, Okpebholo said, “The Governors of the South-South opposing the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not receive my approval. I was neither consulted nor informed before they took this stance.”

“While Governor Monday Okpebholo respects the rights of other Governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to voice their opinions, he chooses to distance himself from any statement opposing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.”

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the complexities at play.”

So, there you have it. Governor Okpebholo is standing firm, supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to restore peace and order in a region that desperately needs it. It’s a bold move, and it shows that even within a group, individual leaders can have differing views on how to tackle tough situations. Keep your eyes peeled—this story isn’t over yet!