Ditctation is looming in the state of rivers, says Huriwa

Raise the alarm on the excesses of the single administrator

[Press Release] Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa) has condemned what described as dictatorial and unconstitutional conduct by the only administrator, the deputy admiral IBOK ETE IBAS (RETD.), Appointed in the state of the rivers following the controversial state of emergency proclaimed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a declaration issued in Abuja, on Monday, the defense group of civil rights expressed serious concerns about the way the only administrator managed the affairs of the state, stating that the in progress actions seem to be far from the declared objective of the president to restore peace and reconciliation in the region.

Huriwa has questioned the legitimacy of the declaration of a state of emergency in the state of the rivers, underlining that the state was not experiencing any rupture of law and order or threat to internal security to justify such a drastic constitutional intervention.

The association stressed that, despite the declaration, there was still a sitting governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who had not been accused or legally removed by the office.

According to Huriwa, the president does not have the constitutional authority to fire or suspend a governor duly elected by the people, adding that the position of a single administrator is unknown to the democratic framework of Nigeria.

The association denounced the model of large changes implemented by the administrator, in particular the widespread dismissal of appointed politicians who already occupy legally recognized offices.

Huriwa declared that it was deeply worrying that someone who had not been elected by people was going around dissolving the offices and exercising executive powers that were constitutionally exclusive for a sitting governor.

By describing the situation as reminding a civil status, Huriwa warned that current developments in the state of spinners represented a serious threat to the state of law and constitutional democracy.

The group urged the only administrator to act within the borders of the law and warned him from further actions that violate the rights of the people of the rivers.

Huriwa has also expressed dismay for the role played by the National Assembly in what called the Emergency Proclamation Tumbr.

The group recalled that the Nigerians were told that a committee of respected national statists and women would be established to mediate and restore political stability in the state of the rivers, but to date this committee has not been formed.

Instead, the group complained, the only administrator continued to act with uncontrolled powers, ignoring the constitutional authority of the governor and the rights of the people.

The Association invited the National Assembly to immediately revisit the matter and take measures to restore democratic governance in the state.

He urged the legislator to recognize that his main duty was to protect the Constitution and democratic aspirations of the Nigerians, rather than to serve as a tool for executive overcoming.

Huriwa has further aligned with recent peaceful protests by young Nigerians in various states, who took to the streets to ask for the end of what they see as an illegal and dangerous subversion of democracy in the state of rivers.

The group has applauded their civil approach and reiterated its full support for their requests, underlining that the will of the people must prevail in all democratic environments.

The body for civil rights has reiterated its position that the only path towards true reconciliation and peace is through a return to the constitutional order.

He invited President Tinubu to listen to the voice of reason, put an end to political impasse and guarantee the immediate restoration of the government elected constitutionally in the state of the rivers.

According to Huriwa, “what is taking place in Rivers is not only a parody of justice, but a mockery of democracy earned by Nigeria”.

The group underlined that anything to say the least by restoring the governor Fubara and that the kingdom of the administrator ends would equally equally support a dangerous precedent that could erode democratic institutions across the country.

Huriwa has reiterated her commitment to defend the democratic rules and urged the well -intentioned Nigerians and the international community to speak against what she described as an authoritarian project in progress in the State.

It ended asking for supervision and peaceful resistance against any attempt to destroy the gains of the democratic journey of Nigeria.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko

National coordinator,

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa)

April 7, 2025

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