Why state of emergency was necessary in Rivers – Lawyer, Ubani

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, has expressed support for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a necessary step to prevent a total breakdown of governance.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Ubani explained that President Bola Tinubu was compelled to act due to the escalating political crisis in the state.

“From the president’s perspective, the situation had reached a point where the House of Assembly was no longer functioning in tandem with the governor,” he said.

Ubani referenced a Supreme Court ruling that criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for attempting to govern with only four members of the State House of Assembly, a move the court deemed unconstitutional.

He added that the legitimacy of the state’s budget, passed by the limited assembly members, was also called into question.

“The president considered all of this, including the destruction of economic assets in the state,” Ubani noted.

He also recalled President Tinubu’s earlier intervention, where both parties involved in the political standoff were invited to Aso Rock, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at restoring peace — an agreement that ultimately failed to produce results.

“With tensions rising daily and the crisis showing no signs of resolution, the president took a preemptive step to prevent further deterioration by declaring a state of emergency,” Ubani said.