As the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State is set to expire this Thursday, legal and political experts are sharply divided over whether suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara can automatically return to office or if fresh presidential or legislative action is required.

The impending deadline reopens debates on constitutional procedure, federal authority, and the legitimacy of suspending a sitting governor under emergency powers.

Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Lanre Suraj, argued that Governor Fubara, who was suspended and not impeached, does not need to take a new oath of office.

“All that matters is for the Sole Administrator to hand over to either the SSG or HoS on Wednesday evening,” Suraj stated.

“Anything beyond Wednesday evening, if Ibas fails to hand over power, he can be arrested and tried for a criminal act.”

Suraj insisted that neither the National Assembly nor President Tinubu’s current leave should delay the transition, noting that the only oversight function of the National Assembly relates to how Sole Administrator Ibas managed state finances during the emergency period.

Similarly, Bernard Mikko, a former House of Reps member from Rivers State, aligned with Suraj’s position.

He maintained that “The President does not need to make any national broadcast. There’s also no need for Fubara to take another oath.”

However, Mikko said it’s up to legal authorities to determine whether the six-month suspension period should be added to Fubara’s tenure, a point where he disagreed with Suraj.

In contrast, Idowu Adelusi, former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, took a firmer stance: Fubara’s return is not automatic.

“Fubara was suspended through a legal instrument ratified by the House of Representatives. That same process must be used to lift the suspension,” he said.

“He cannot just walk back into office without presidential or legislative action.”

Adelusi cited Fayose’s 2006 suspension under President Obasanjo, explaining that proper notification to the legislature was still required even when his suspension was extended.

“Something cogent must be done by the President and National Assembly before Wednesday evening. I speak from experience.”

Living Jamala, a lawyer and political analyst, dismissed claims that President Tinubu’s 10-day working leave or the National Assembly recess can be used to justify a delay in ending the emergency rule.

“The emergency regime was declared for six months. Once that period expires, the rule lapses automatically,” he explained.

“The President can issue a proclamation from anywhere. His absence should not be a reason to prolong emergency rule.”

Jamala also stressed that Fubara does not require a new oath, warning that “Taking a fresh oath could disqualify him from contesting re-election.”

He added that Sole Administrator Ibas must hand over his report to the President, not the governor and noted that the Rivers State Assembly can resume activities, including electing new leadership where necessary.

Former presidential aide and ex-lawmaker Senator Ita Enang echoed the legal position that no fresh National Assembly action is needed unless the President seeks an extension.

“The National Assembly has played its role by approving the six-month emergency rule. Once that time is up, the proclamation ceases automatically,” he said in a phone interview with our correspondent.

Enang clarified that whether the Assembly is in recess or not, it does not affect the automatic expiration of the emergency.

It will be recalled that on March 18, 2025, the National Assembly approved President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State following political unrest and governance breakdown.

The move, announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

As part of the resolution, a joint ad hoc committee was created to oversee state administration during the emergency period.

Under the law, the proclamation must not exceed six months unless renewed by the President with fresh legislative approval.

With the emergency rule ending Thursday, uncertainty looms over the transition process.

Legal experts agree that unless President Tinubu renews the proclamation, Fubara should be reinstated immediately without a new oath or further legislative intervention.

However, political observers warn that failure to manage the handover carefully could lead to fresh constitutional crises and instability in Rivers State.

Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has broken his silence on the political events that led to the emergence of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the successor to ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, a role Onoja once believed he was being prepared for.

Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, Onoja shared insights into the internal succession battle that played out within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State.

According to him, Yahaya Bello had personally told him to prepare for leadership and gave him assurances about succeeding him.

“For four years before 2023, he was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me; get prepared,’” Onoja recalled.

“And, of course, I planned and I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity to contest.”

Onoja said about seven APC members eventually picked up nomination forms to run for the party’s governorship ticket. However, it became clear that Bello had made his choice.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice were with the current governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he stated.

Onoja also detailed the moment Bello broke the news to him and what he said in response.

“When he broke the news to me, I told him, ‘You are the boss; you are over me; what you see is what I see. I hope you are not making a mistake.’”

He went on to share some of the reasons Bello allegedly gave for not supporting his candidacy.

“He said my capacity was too much, and I don’t know what that meant,” Onoja said.

“Secondly, he said my people of Kogi East did not really like me because I supported a non-Igala, but that was the perception.”

Despite feeling disappointed and blindsided, Onoja said he accepted the situation and threw his weight behind the party’s eventual candidate.

“It was shocking and disappointing because when a friend gives you his word, you expect that he should live by it. But humans are humans, so we have moved on.”

“I did commit to him that I would work for our party and our candidate, and I did. He (Ododo) is there today serving.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action against politicians and political parties engaging in early election campaigns, which are prohibited by law.

In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to identify and prosecute violators and their sponsors.

“INEC is not helpless when political parties, candidates, and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns. Early election campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal,” the organization said.

Last week, INEC raised concerns about the increasing trend of premature campaigns, lamenting that the practice undermines its ability to monitor campaign finance.

The electoral body also claimed that there are currently no specific sanctions for early campaigning.

But SERAP disagreed, insisting that INEC has both the legal authority and responsibility to take enforcement actions.

“INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns,” the group argued.

“INEC should not be seen to be encouraging or giving legitimacy to political parties, candidates, and other politicians carrying out early election campaigns outside the legally prescribed campaign period.”

“Early election campaigns have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged electioneering frenzy.”

SERAP also criticized the apparent misuse of public resources by some state governors, claiming that revenue generated from the removal of fuel subsidies is being diverted toward premature electioneering instead of public services.

“Several state governors seem to be using fuel subsidy windfall for early election campaigns,” the letter continued.

“Several state governors are grossly failing to invest in social and economic development and provide essential services to their residents despite a significant increase in revenue since the removal of fuel subsidies.”

SERAP pointed out that INEC has not yet released the official timetable and schedule for the elections, making current political campaigns a direct violation of the law.

“As INEC is yet to publish the timetable and schedule of activities for elections, early election campaigns are inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

The organization emphasized that enforcing the ban on early campaigns is essential to upholding democratic values.

“Enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable, and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom.”

“INEC has broad constitutional and legal obligations to promote, protect, uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.”

SERAP warned that failure by INEC to act decisively would foster a dangerous culture of impunity.

“Any failure by INEC to fairly enforce constitutional and statutory prohibitions of early election campaigns and the country’s international human rights obligations would create a culture of impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors.”

“By failing to act against or sanction political parties, candidates, and other politicians for engaging in early election campaigns, INEC is implicitly condoning the violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

The rights group concluded by giving INEC a seven-day ultimatum to act on its demands.

“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

A fresh political clash has erupted in Anambra State as Governor Charles Soludo and Young Progressive Party (YPP) governorship candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, exchange accusations over an incident involving the Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Ayamba.

According to circulating reports and a trending video on social media, the altercation allegedly took place at Onitsha Medical Center.

It was claimed that Chukwuma and his supporters confronted the commissioner when they visited the hospital to transfer victims of an earlier taskforce-related attack to another facility.

The video reportedly shows that a vehicle belonging to Commissioner Ayamba was parked at the hospital entrance, allegedly obstructing Chukwuma’s team.

This resulted in a brief scuffle before the situation was calmed by onlookers.

However, Chukwuma, through his media team, has strongly refuted the allegations, calling them an orchestrated attempt by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to suppress opposition voices.

“We have seen the video of Sir Paul Chukwuma’s intervention at the Onitsha Medical Centre, now in circulation by the failed APGA government in Anambra State.”

“This is part of the ongoing efforts of Soludo’s government to keep grappling with straws, in a bid to avoid serious engagement regarding his performance so far. We, however, sympathize with them because we reckon that such behavior is expected from an outgoing government, with nothing left to offer.”

Chukwuma’s media team explained that the YPP candidate had suspended his campaign plans in response to violence allegedly carried out by state operatives against traders in the Onitsha main market, which reportedly led to fatalities.

“A few days ago, the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Sir Paul Chukwuma, had to suspend his initial campaign plans to respond to an emergency arising from the violence meted out to innocent traders by operatives of the Anambra State Government, leading to some deaths, right in the heart of the main market in Onitsha.”

“This shocking incident immediately triggered the traders to their wits’ end, leading to the destruction of vehicles belonging to the leaders of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra State – OCHA Brigade, accused of leading the onslaught on the traders.”

“The agency’s office was also vandalized. This was the situation in the market when Sir Paul Chukwuma arrived in the main market, Onitsha, and pleaded with the traders to remain calm and law-abiding. This can be seen in the video of Paul Chukwuma’s outing in the market.”

Chukwuma was reportedly responding to complaints that injured victims were not being properly treated at the hospital.

“Responding to the complaints that some of the injured traders during the attack by the government operatives have not been admitted or are not receiving adequate treatment at the hospital where they were taken, Sir Paul Chukwuma then assured that he was going to the hospital to ensure that they are treated and adequately taken care of.”

Upon reaching the hospital, the YPP candidate reportedly arranged for an ambulance to transfer the victims.

“Upon arrival at the hospital, Paul Chukwuma was asked to get an ambulance if he wanted to have the injured traders transferred to another hospital, and he complied. While the injured were taken into the waiting ambulance arranged by Paul Chukwuma, a branded sienna vehicle approached the gate and blocked the entrance gate.”

“A government official then disembarked from the vehicle and immediately proceeded to the hospital, ordering them to shut their doors. Realizing that the occupant of the sienna is a serving official of the same government whose operatives killed their relatives and injured others, some of the relatives launched an attack on the government official.”

“In fact, the government official first earned the wrath of the people when he ordered the hospital to close its doors. This infuriated the relatives of the injured and deceased who were present. At this point, the official of the government was immediately asked to leave the place and to remove his vehicle, which he had used to block the gate.”

The YPP campaign concluded with a scathing critique of Governor Soludo’s administration and a warning about the upcoming election.

“The APGA government in Anambra State must take note that they are at cross purposes with the people of Anambra State, and no amount of attempts to derail credible and healthy competition from the YPP, Sir Paul Chukwuma, and his Deputy, Uzu Okagbue, can stand. What we are asking is simple: the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, must tell us what he has done with the billions of public funds he has overseen for and on behalf of the people and government of Anambra State in over three years.”

“The Governor may wish to grandstand and put up all manner of theatrical distractions to evade accountability, but he will surely not escape the rejection of Ndi Anambra on the ballot come November 8, 2025.”