Tinubu's Plan for Extending Emergency Rule in Rivers State Discussed by Wike

Tinubu's Plan for Extending Emergency Rule in Rivers State Discussed by Wike

President Tinubu Aims to Restore Democratic Governance in Rivers State through Local Elections

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his intention to establish democratic structures at the local government level in Rivers State by conducting local government elections, as stated by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike, who made this assertion during a media chat on Monday, explained that Tinubu views the upcoming August 30 local government elections as a means to reestablish democratic structures, which would enable the local governments to access funds and operate effectively.

The President's stance on the matter comes in the wake of concerns expressed by Wike about the implications of not holding local government elections and leaving the emergency rule in place. The emergency rule, which grants the President the power to make regulations, has been in effect in Rivers State since President Tinubu suspended Governor Sim Fubara for six months and declared a state of emergency.

However, Wike believes that extending the emergency rule would not benefit the people of Rivers State, as it would be unpopular ("not palatable") with the citizens. He argued that continuing the emergency without elections would worsen governance issues because the suspended governor cannot appoint caretaker committees due to a Supreme Court judgment.

If the governor of Rivers State gives notice of one year as per the Supreme Court judgment, he cannot set up a committee, and the local government may not have access to the Federation Account. This could potentially hinder the local governments' ability to function financially.

Moreover, Wike questioned how local governments would access funds if local government elections are not held. He expressed concern that the lack of elected local authorities could lead to a potential crisis in Rivers State.

In response to these concerns, President Tinubu has suspended some aspects of the electoral act of 2022 under the emergency rule. He also issued a regulation in July that local government elections in Rivers State must be conducted within 30 days.

President Tinubu's reluctance to prolong the emergency rule is motivated by a desire to end the suspension period, restore elected local governance, and avoid further crisis stemming from the lack of legitimate local authority and funding access.

[1] Supreme Court judgment regarding the appointment of caretaker committees in Rivers State [2] Emergency rule in Rivers State and its implications on local government elections

1. President Tinubu, in a bid to restore democratic governance in Rivers State, has declared that local government elections will be held on August 30, as advocated by Minister Wike.
2. The PDP, with Minister Wike at its helm, has expressed concerns over the future of policy-and-legislation in Rivers State without elected local authorities, potentially leading to a political crisis.
3. In response to the PDP's concerns, President Tinubu has issued a regulation under the emergency rule, mandating the conduction of local government elections in Rivers State within 30 days, aiming to resolve the issue and reestablish democratic structures.

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