By Ken Chiwendu
In a letter titled “Rivers State in Crisis: GODO Sends Distress Signal to UN, EU, and AU Over Governor Fubara’s Suspension “and sent to embassies , the Greater Ogonis in the Diaspora GODO has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers of which he suspended Governor Siminilayi Fubara.
The group said the president’s action violates the constitution and undermines the democratic process
According to the group, the reasons cited for the suspension of the governor are ” premature and unjustified”expressing alarm that the president could not rein in Nyesom Wike and the 27 lawmakers for their role in the political crisis in the state.
To: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Copied to:
- International Court of Justice: Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague
- ECOWAS: 2GQG+M2R, 114 Yakubu Gowon Cres, Asokoro, Aso 900103, Federal Capital Territory
- African Union: P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- European Union: Rue de la Loi 200/ Wetstraat 200, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, Belgium
- US Ambassador to Nigeria: Plot 1075, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District Area
March 19, 2025
The Greater Ogonis In Diaspora Organisation (GODO) is a non-profit organization representing the interests of the Ogoni people in the diaspora. We are committed to promoting human rights, democracy, and sustainable development in Nigeria, with a focus on the Ogoni and Rivers State. We write to bring to your attention a pressing matter of grave concern regarding the egregious abuse of executive powers by Nigerian President Alh. Bola Ahmed Tinubu.The President’s actions have led to the truncation of governance in Rivers State, violating the constitutional provisions and undermining the democratic process.
We strongly condemn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This action is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.
The reasons cited by President Tinubu for this suspension are premature and unjustified. The security agencies have not yet completed their investigation into the pipeline explosion, and it is unclear whether the incident was caused by equipment failure, sabotage, or other factors. Blaming Governor Fubara, who does not employ or control the security agencies, demonstrates President Tinubu’s desperation to remove him from office through undemocratic means.
Furthermore, it is alarming that President Tinubu has refused to hold his political appointees, led by FCT Minister Chief Nyesom Wike and the 27 lawmakers, accountable for their role in the crisis in Rivers State. Despite Governor Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s decision, the lawmakers have declined and shut him out.
It is also noteworthy that Rivers State was not at war like the North East, North West, North Central, or South East, where terrorists and IPOB have been attacking and killing civilians and security agents. This move is particularly puzzling given Nigeria’s history of dealing with more severe security challenges. The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, for instance, saw entire local government areas conquered and flags hoisted. Despite the devastating effects of terrorism, with thousands of lives lost and millions displaced, the government did not declare a state of emergency in those areas.
Similarly, in the southeast, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) imposed sit-at-home orders, causing widespread disruptions and attacks on civilians and security agencies. Yet, the government did not deem it necessary to declare a state of emergency in the region.
It’s unclear why Rivers State, which is not under siege, has been subjected to this extreme measure. The state’s local governments and units are functioning, and there’s no apparent threat to national security or public safety.
The main reason for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State appears to be a desire to control the resources of the oil-rich state and hand them over to President Tinubu’s party and loyalists ahead of the 2027 elections. This is not in the interest of the state or its people.
Moreover, we are dismayed by the federal government’s decision to release the seized funds, which the Supreme Court explicitly ordered to be held until its decisions were implemented. The fact that the Supreme Court’s decisions have not been fully met makes this move even more egregious. The seized funds should have remained untouched by the federal government, as Nigeria operates under a federal system where one tier of government should not interfere with the functioning of another.
This blatant disregard for the rule of law and the principles of federalism is alarming. The federal government’s actions undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and set a dangerous precedent for future interference in state affairs.
Furthermore, we accuse the Supreme Court of Nigeria of glaring bias in their judgment regarding the Rivers State House of Assembly defections. The court ignored affidavits from 27 lawmakers stating their defection from the PDP to the APC, as well as video evidence showing the reading of their letters in the chamber plenary, announcing their switch from PDP to APC. This perceived bias has sparked concerns about the court’s impartiality and its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
We urge the United Nations Human Rights Commission to take immediate action to address this situation. We request that you:
DEMANDS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU:
- Reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara: Immediately reinstate the Governor and restore the democratic process in Rivers State.
- Cease Interference: Call his appointees to order and allow the Governor to work for the people of Rivers State without obstruction and undue interference.
- Respect the Rule of Law: Ensure that his government respects the democratic process and the rule of law.
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE:
- Persona Non Grata: Declare President Tinubu persona non grata and ban him from participating in any global activities until he respects the democratic process and the rule of law.
- Sanctions: Call on the international community to impose sanctions on President Tinubu and his government until they respect the democratic process and the rule of law.
- Investigation and Prosecution: Conduct an immediate investigation into the human rights violations committed by President Tinubu and his appointees, and hold them accountable for their actions.
- Investigate Supreme Court’s Judgment: Investigate the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s judgment regarding the Rivers State House of Assembly defections and take appropriate action to address the perceived bias and ensure the impartiality of the judiciary.
- Provide Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance and support to the government of Rivers State to restore the democratic process and ensure the protection of human rights.
- Review Judgement: Urge the Nigerian government and the Supreme Court to review the judgement, which has been widely condemned, and consider the evidence that was overlooked.
We believe it’s essential for the international community to take a firm stance against this blatant abuse of power and ensure that democratic principles and human rights are respected in Nigeria.
Sincerely,
Chief Ambrose Kii
Greater Ogonis In Diaspora Organisation (GODO)
8431 W Vernon Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85037
USA
