President Tinubu's Decision To Scrap Niger Delta Ministry Questioned By Prominent Activist

Activist Slams President Tinubu's Suspension of Rivers State Governor

Let me break it down for you. Renowned Niger-Delta activist Ann-Kio Briggs is speaking out, and she's not holding back. In a recent interview with Vanguard, she called out President Bola Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu. According to Briggs, the President was fed misleading and incorrect information, which led to this controversial decision.

"The President was given bad intel. He’s been lied to, and it seems like he’s been kept in the dark about what’s really going on in Rivers State. It's almost as if he’s relying on people who don’t have the best interests of the region at heart," Briggs said, passionately explaining her stance.

Briggs went on to clarify that the suspension of Governor Fubara was not only unjust but also baseless. She pointed out that the state’s House of Assembly complex is over 80% complete, with payments already made by the governor. The claim that Fubara destroyed the complex, she argued, is simply not true.

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"They accused him of destroying the complex, but there’s no proof. And even if there was, why wouldn’t they provide an alternative solution? It’s all smoke and mirrors," she added, emphasizing the lack of evidence supporting the suspension.

Insecurity Claims: A Misleading Narrative?

Briggs also addressed the claims that the suspension was due to rising insecurity in the state. In her view, these reports are misleading and don’t reflect the reality on the ground.

"The President claimed there’s a crisis in Rivers State, but that’s just not true. There’s no evidence of insecurity. The suspension has only created more uncertainty. If the President is suspending the governor for six months, why is he removing all the appointed officials? It doesn’t make sense. When Fubara returns, he’ll have to start all over again because the current appointments are dangerous and counterproductive," Briggs explained.

"We’re not seeing justice or fairness here. The President has to reevaluate his decision. If he acted on false information, he should admit it and lift the suspension. That would show real leadership," she continued, urging the President to reconsider his actions.

Rule of Law Under Threat in Rivers State

Naija News reported that Briggs expressed deep concern over the President’s disregard for the rule of law in handling the political crisis in Rivers State. She pointed out that the sole administrator’s actions are illegal and undermine the democratic process.

"What’s happening in Rivers State right now shows a blatant disregard for the rule of law. The Supreme Court clearly stated that the state should only receive its funds after the governor presents a budget to the House of Assembly and it’s approved. How, then, did the President release Rivers’ money to a sole administrator against the law? We, the people of Rivers, are furious," Briggs said, voicing the frustrations of her community.

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"Additionally, there are rumors that the sole administrator is preparing to appoint local government chairmen. But where does he get the authority to do that? The Supreme Court has ruled that local government chairmen should be elected, not appointed. If the governor removed all the elected chairmen and now the sole administrator wants to appoint new ones, it raises serious questions about his power and legitimacy," she added.

"It’s not just about the appointments; even the removal of Governor Fubara’s picture from Government House is problematic. He’s not fired; he’s on suspension, and many have already labeled the suspension as illegal. The sole administrator must remember that he’s not the governor. We can’t have two governors in this state," Briggs emphasized.

Rivers State Under Military Rule?

Briggs stressed that the people of Rivers State feel like they’re living under military rule rather than a civilian government. She questioned why Rivers State is being treated differently compared to other states facing similar challenges.

"The Rivers people see this situation as a form of military rule in a civilian democracy. Boko Haram has caused chaos in Borno State, yet they’re not under military rule. Why are we subjected to this? It doesn’t add up," she concluded, calling for peace and a return to the rule of law.

"I urge the President to take a step back and consider all these factors. Let’s bring peace back to Rivers State. The sole administrator needs to stop acting like the governor. We deserve justice, fairness, and a return to normalcy," Briggs said, hoping for a resolution that benefits everyone.