Rivers Gov Fubara’s suspension echoes two governors’ fate under Obasanjo
President Bola Tinubu suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, on Tuesday, evoking memories of the fate that befell Ayo Fayose and Joshua Dariye, when they were governors of Ekiti and Plateau, under the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.
Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state following an explosion that rocked a major oil facility amid the lingering political crisis that has seen lawmakers threaten to impeach the governor.
During a national broadcast, Tinubu also announced the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State for an initial period of six months.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” he said.
He added that for the avoidance of doubt, “this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
Fubara’s suspension marks the first time a state governor would be ordered by the president to step aside in almost 19 years and the third since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
On October 19, 2006, President Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, suspending governor Ayodele Fayose, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly.
The suspension followed Fayose’s refusal to leave office after lawmakers impeached him and his deputy on graft charges, and the leader of the state’s parliament, Friday Adeyemi, was sworn in by the state’s acting chief judge as acting governor.
Obasanjo appointed Brigadier General Tunji Olurin as the sole administrator of the state for a six-month period. The state of emergency was ratified by the National Assembly on October 26.
On May 18, 2004, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State and suspended Governor Dariye for six months following a surge in ethno-religious violence that led to widespread killings and destruction. The governor and state assembly were suspended, and Major General Chris Alli (retd.) was appointed administrator to restore order.
Rivers, a major oil-producing state in the Niger Delta, has been embroiled in a political crisis occasioned by the supremacy battle between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and erstwhile godfather who is now minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
