The Rivers Peace Congress (RPC) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a decisive move that prevented the state from descending into anarchy.

 

In a statement released on Friday and signed by its National President, Comrade Randy Prince, the group praised the President’s intervention as “bold, timely, and necessary,” asserting that it restored peace, order, and unity to the previously volatile political landscape in the state.

 

According to the RPC, President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appoint a Sole Administrator came after months of what it termed “legislative disobedience, governance breakdown, and brewing anarchy.”

 

“The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State came at a time when the very fabric of governance was at risk,” the statement read.

“We had a governor who defied court orders, ignored constitutional checks, and focused more on vendettas than leadership. The breakdown in executive-legislative relations brought the state to the brink of collapse.”

 

RPC noted that the state of emergency has yielded visible improvements in inter-agency cooperation, public service delivery, and conflict resolution, particularly in Port Harcourt and surrounding local councils.

 

“Rivers people can now sleep peacefully. Markets have reopened without fear of politically motivated violence. Civil servants are getting paid without delays, ministries are active again, and stalled public projects have resumed. The paralysis that once crippled governance is over—thanks to the President’s timely action,” the group stated.

 

Addressing concerns over democratic principles, the RPC urged critics to consider the broader context, emphasizing that the President’s actions prioritized national stability and public welfare over politics.

 

“Let us be frank—Rivers State was spiraling into a constitutional crisis. The judiciary was under siege, and the House of Assembly had become a battlefield. President Tinubu did not act out of malice, but in defense of the rule of law and national unity,” Prince said.

 

The group also commended the Sole Administrator, Ibas, for his inclusive approach to leadership during the transitional period.

 

“Ibas has proven to be a bridge builder. He has reached out to all factions with dignity and focus, avoiding political drama and prioritizing service delivery. That is the leadership Rivers State needs right now,” the RPC added.

 

Calling for unity, the RPC urged traditional rulers, elites, and the business community to support the federal government’s roadmap toward reconciliation and the eventual return to democratic governance.

 

“This is a time for healing, not division. We must put Rivers first. The Tinubu administration has shown it cares deeply about the people of the state. It’s time for all stakeholders to come together for the sake of progress,” the group concluded.