The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly denounced the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, slamming the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly as unconstitutional.

In a scathing statement, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, criticized Governor Fubara for opting for a political truce with President Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike rather than pursuing legal action against what the group described as “illegal uprooting” from office.

Describing the decision as “cowardly and misguided,” HURIWA maintained that Fubara should have challenged his suspension in court instead of submitting to a political settlement.

The group also took aim at the Supreme Court, alleging it deliberately delayed hearings involving a number of opposition PDP governors and the emergency declaration, supposedly in collusion with President Tinubu to facilitate a political resolution ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We have credible intelligence indicating that the Supreme Court deliberately delayed the matter, allegedly in agreement with President Tinubu, to allow time for a political solution aimed at bolstering his 2027 re‑election agenda,” the statement read.

HURIWA condemned the state of emergency declared on March 18, 2025, calling the removal of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the State Assembly “absolutely illegal”, as no provision in the constitution permits such action.

While acknowledging that Section 305 grants the President the authority to declare emergencies, HURIWA emphasized this power “does not extend to the removal of elected officials”, which should instead follow constitutional procedures like death, resignation, impeachment, or incapacity.

The group further clarified that even if the governor and deputy governor are removed, the Speaker of the House must assume office temporarily, pending an election within three months, as stipulated by law.

It also noted that if the legislature is incapacitated, the National Assembly should temporarily assume its legislative role under Section 11(4), not dissolve it.

HURIWA described the June 27 “peace meeting” involving President Tinubu, Minister Wike, Governor Fubara, and Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule as a “charade”, asserting it aimed to mask the prior constitutional breaches.

“This so‑called reconciliation cannot override constitutional violations. It is a smokescreen to legitimize the President’s unconstitutional actions, including the imposition of a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Etteh Ibas (retd), for six months,” the association declared.

The group also pointed to a double standard in how emergency powers are applied, citing Benue State’s prolonged violence without similar measures taken, labeling it discriminatory and an infringement of Section 42(1), which guarantees equality before the law.

Finally, HURIWA warned that history will judge the Supreme Court, President Tinubu, and Governor Fubara for this “gross illegality disguised as political settlement.”

“We remain committed to defending constitutional democracy in Nigeria and reject any attempt to normalize unlawful usurpation of power under the guise of reconciliation,” the statement concluded.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed July 24 for its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where members are expected to nominate a new national chairman.

This development comes in the wake of the resignation of the former party chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down last Friday.

In the meantime, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, has assumed duties as Acting National Chairman.

His appointment was confirmed during an emergency meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Addressing journalists after the NWC session, Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, announced the NEC meeting date.

He added that a formal notice regarding the meeting had already been sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with procedural requirements.

Ali Bukar Dalori has officially taken over as the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the unexpected resignation of his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Dalori’s assumption of office was confirmed on Monday during a meeting of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

While initial reports suggested that Ganduje stepped down due to health concerns and a desire to focus on personal matters, party insiders have offered a different perspective.

Multiple sources allege that Ganduje’s resignation was prompted by political maneuverings tied to early strategies for the 2027 presidential race.

One source told DAILY GAZETTE that the head of a major security agency visited Ganduje’s residence at about 2:00 am last Friday to obtain his resignation letter.

“We are all shocked. We didn’t see it coming,” said a source close to the former APC chairman.

According to the same source, shortly after his resignation, Ganduje received visits from a prominent governor from the North East, well known for his influence within the APC, and a key political figure from the North West closely aligned with President Bola Tinubu.

Their visits were reportedly to “console him” after the abrupt turn of events.

Rights activist Akpobari Celestine, a member of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Governing Council, has declared that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas’s role in Rivers State is effectively over.

This follows an agreement among previously warring political figures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his predecessor Nyesom Wike, and state assembly members.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Celestine emphatically stated that Ibas, who currently serves as the sole administrator in the state under emergency rule, must not touch a kobo of the ₦1,485,662,592,442 2025 Appropriation Bill approved by the Senator Opeyemi Bamidele Committee on June 25, 2025.

He further urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately lift the emergency rule in Rivers State and reinstate Governor Fubara, emphasizing that the political crisis has been resolved and the administrative measure is no longer necessary.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a change in venue for its Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting originally slated to hold at the party’s National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The meeting will now take place at the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The party made the announcement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, urging all BoT members to proceed to the new location.

The move comes after armed policemen from the FCT Police Command took over the PDP secretariat, barring BoT members from entering the premises.

PDP described the police action as harassment and condemned the forced takeover of its headquarters.

Among those denied entry was prominent BoT member Maina Chiroma.

Speaking to newsmen, former PDP National Secretary Umar Tsauri stated that the police acted under “orders from above” in stopping BoT members from accessing the secretariat.

The tensions escalated amid internal party disputes over the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting also scheduled for Monday, with security forces heavily deployed around the secretariat.

The PDP remains firm in its call for peaceful resolution and urged its members to proceed calmly to the Yar’Adua Centre for the BoT meeting.