A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) has expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

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On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Tinubu invoked a provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to impose emergency rule in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that had destabilized governance in the state.

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By Thursday, both chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives—had endorsed the President’s decision, incorporating some additional amendments.

Following this development, the CCLCA has backed Tinubu’s move, emphasizing that it aligns with constitutional provisions.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of the group, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, described the President’s decision as a necessary and lawful response to a deteriorating political situation that required urgent intervention.

“Today, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, committed to advocating for good governance and credible leadership, convened to express our support for the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As a civil rights coalition, we stand in affirmation of the recent actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the resolutions passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the state of emergency in Rivers State.

“The prolonged political turmoil between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State has led to a governance crisis that requires immediate and decisive action. We commend President Tinubu for his bold declaration of a state of emergency aimed at restoring order and ensuring effective governance,” he said.

Justifying the emergency rule, Dr. Gabriel noted that the President acted within his constitutional authority, citing Section 305 of the Constitution, which permits the declaration of a state of emergency in cases where governance is severely compromised.

“The chaotic political environment in Rivers State necessitated such an extraordinary measure,” he asserted.

He further explained that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was a necessary step to facilitate the restoration of order.

The CSO coalition also endorsed the Senate’s resolution to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution, empowering the National Assembly to establish a Joint Advisory Committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State during this period.

According to Dr. Gabriel, this oversight mechanism is essential for safeguarding the interests of Rivers State citizens and ensuring stability.

“We also welcome the Senate’s suggestion to form a committee of eminent Nigerians tasked with reconciling the conflicting parties within the government of Rivers State. Such an initiative is essential not only for the immediate resolution of the ongoing crisis but also for fostering a more collaborative and effective governance structure in the future.

“The House of Representatives’ affirmation of the state of emergency further reinforces the consensus on the need for urgent intervention. We believe that these measures are in the best interest of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.

Dr. Gabriel, however, called on all stakeholders to work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis, emphasizing that collective action and dialogue remain key to restoring hope and trust in governance.

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Following the reinstatement of the ally of the former governor of Rivers State, Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP by the Supreme Court, the party insisted that Sunday Udeh-Okoye remains the party’s National Secretary.

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CAPITAL POST earlier report that the apex Court on Friday reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stating that the management of party leadership was entirely that of the Party, hence, it was up to the party to nominate or elect its leaders and not the Court.

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Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment on Friday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said PDP National Secretary remains Mr Sunday Udeh-Okoye..

Samuel Anyanwu is an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who PDP believes, he is working for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP has already chosen Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and the decision has been ratified through the internal mechanism in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

It added that the Friday ruling of the apex court only affirms what the party has already done and so Udeh-Okoye, not Anyanwu, remains the PDP National Secretary.

The statement by Ologbondiyan confirmed the PDP is in receipt of the Supreme Court judgement and commended the apex court for upholding the principle of the supremacy of the Party in the management of its internal affairs, describing it as a victory for democracy.

It urged all party members to remain peaceful.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the Judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed that the issue of Party leadership positions, including that of the National Secretary is entirely an internal affair of the Party requiring only the Party internal mechanism to which the courts have no jurisdiction.

“Today’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirms the standing position of the Party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the substantiative National Secretary of the PDP having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory Organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“For clarity, the NWC at its 576th meeting held on the 11th of October, 2023, directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon Senator Anyanwu’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 Governorship election in Imo State.

“Consequent upon the directive of the NWC, the South East Zonal Executive Committee at its meeting held on the 20th of October 2023 passed a resolution approving the emergence and forwarding of the name of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye to the NWC as the National Secretary of the Party.

“Accordingly, the NWC at its 577th meeting held on 7th of November 2023 pursuant to its powers under the PDP Constitution, duly received, deliberated upon, accepted and approved the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party, which appointment has also since been endorsed by relevant Organs and bodies of the PDP including the Board of Trustees (BoT), South East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum and officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.

“The PDP commends the Supreme Court for upholding the principle of the supremacy of the Party in the management of its internal affairs, describing it as victory for democracy.

“The NWC urges all patriotic members of the PDP to remain united as we work together to move our great Party forward.

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A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard rumors that the Federal High Court has lifted its order restraining the Senate from probing Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.

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In a statement signed on Thursday by Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the Kogi-based group reaffirmed that the court order remains in effect. According to them, instead of vacating it, the court provided further clarification on the case.

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They explained that the court had not yet considered Senator Uduaghan’s request for a mandatory injunction but had instead addressed a motion filed by the Senate on March 17, 2025.

The group noted that in spite of the restraining order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation and ultimately pronounced a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha.

“They equally filed an application, which was vehemently opposed by the Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, who emphasized the Senate’s contemptuous actions in defying the Court’s orders.
“Numa argued that the Senate was not entitled to any further orders from the same court it had disrespected.

“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the Judge returned to deliver a ruling, offering clarification on the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the interpretation sought by the 2nd Defendant (the Senate), that the restraining order was meant to halt the entire legislative function of the Senate, the Court noted that the National Assembly had been carrying out its legislative functions without any hindrance.

“The Court further clarified that, owing to the varying interpretations of the order, it would set aside only the consequential aspects of Order 4, which was merely meant to give effect to the predicate orders.”

The group declared that contrary to false reports, “The Court did not set aside Orders 1, 2, or 3, which include the orders restraining the Senate’s Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged conduct while the Motion for an Interlocutory Injunction remains pending.

“Additionally, the Court did not reverse its directive for the Defendants to show cause within 72 hours or overturn the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

“The Court’s decision only involved the clarification of Order 4 due to the differing interpretations presented by the Defendants.

“The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive dispute.

“We use this medium to assure the general public that justice shall prevail, even as we urge everyone to disregard the misinformation in circulation,” the group clarified.

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