State of emergency: Tinubu took necessary action to salvage Rivers State – AGF Fagbemi

The Federal Government has defended its decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that no responsible government would stand by while the situation deteriorates without taking decisive action.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, justified the move, citing the escalating crisis, including the bombing of oil installations, as a key factor that necessitated the emergency declaration.

Fagbemi also pointed to the destruction of the State House of Assembly under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, which he claimed prevented lawmakers from carrying out their duties and triggered the unrest that led to the presidential intervention.

Speaking at the Meet the Press Forum, an event organized by the Presidential Media team on Wednesday, the AGF addressed the controversies surrounding the declaration.

According to him, President Tinubu indirectly provided Governor Fubara with a soft landing by allowing all parties involved in the crisis six months to resolve their differences. He noted that even before the declaration, impeachment threats were already looming over the governor.

Fagbemi further clarified that despite the emergency rule, federal allocations meant for Rivers State would still be disbursed but would now be accessed through the newly appointed sole administrator.

Details later…