[BREAKING] Rivers crisis: List of governors who opposed Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara

The political crisis rocking Rivers State led to the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu and the subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis, which was between the governor and his predecessor, who was now the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, started barely six months after the former resumed the office of leadership in the state.

Wike and Fubara have been said to be fighting over the control of the political structure in the state. A development which saw the majority of the lawmakers making moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Following the burning of pipelines in the state, President Tinubu announced the suspension of the governor and the lawmakers. The action of the president has been criticised by some concerned Nigerians, including some governors. Below is the list of the governors who have criticised Tinubu.

Seyi Makinde of Oyo

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was one of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party governors who have publicly criticised the suspension of Governor Fubara, adding that irrespective of loyalty, the virtue of democracy must be protected and that the action of the president was unconstitutional.

Makinde also hinted that the governors elected on the PDP platform would be challenging the suspension of their colleague, Fubara, at the Supreme Court.

Bala Mohammed of Bauchi

The Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, has vehemently criticised President Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara. He condemned the faulting of the colleague and the president, not mentioning the FCT minister.

Meanwhile, Governor Bala criticised Tinubu while speaking on behalf of the 12 governors of the PDP. The governors also called for the immediate reversal of the order while raising the suspicion that the president was playing politics with his decision.

Rivers crisis: Lawyer reacts to Tinubu’s declaration

Titilope Anifowoshe, a legal practitioner, in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, explained that the suspension was necessary because any instability in Rivers would lead to economic instability in Nigeria’s economy. She said:

“Rivers State holds immense significance as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Its vast contributions to the nation’s crude oil and natural gas reserves make it an economic linchpin. Without the smooth operation of Rivers State, Nigeria’s economic stability is at risk.”