PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: As Rivers State prepares for the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 18, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described the six-month emergency rule in the state as an unlawful ploy to stifle progress and weaken its economic base.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt after the thanksgiving service held at the Ecumenical Centre to mark the end of the emergency administration, Eze alleged that the measures were not borne out of security concerns, but were aimed at plundering the state’s resources, hijacking its political structures, and preventing Rivers from competing with Lagos economically.
“The illegal Sole Administrator, Ibok Ette-Ibas, succeeded in achieving the purpose of the emergency rule – looting the state’s treasury, conducting an unlawful local government election, and halting development,” Eze said. “All projects were grounded, no new initiatives were undertaken, and the state’s funds were recklessly diverted.”
He accused President Bola Tinubu of sanctioning Fubara’s suspension because the governor’s rapid strides in infrastructure and business reforms threatened Lagos’ economic dominance. “Governor Fubara’s commitment to revive investment in infrastructure and create an enabling environment for businesses was a direct threat to Tinubu and Lagos. That is why the President did not think twice before suspending him,” he said.
Eze expressed disappointment that Rivers-born former governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, allegedly played a role in the “illegality” against his own people, insisting history would judge him harshly. He further lamented that Nigerians looked on in silence as Rivers State, the oil-rich hub of the Niger Delta, was plunged into months of political and economic stagnation.
“The future will determine whether Rivers people accept this affront or rise to reclaim their state from undemocratic forces. The silence of Nigerians over these illegalities is dangerous, particularly as the 2027 elections draw closer,” he warned.
Despite the setbacks, Eze maintained that Rivers people still believe in Fubara’s sincerity and urged the governor to place development and service to the people at the heart of his agenda upon resumption. “Any agreement signed under duress, which does not serve the people, must be subjected to the governor’s overriding mandate – service and accountability to Rivers people,” he said.
He described the September 18 handover as an opportunity for the state to “breathe fresh air” after months of what he called anguish, looting, and retrogression under the emergency rule.
