Nigeria Governors’ Forum explains silence on Rivers State emergency rule
By Kunle Sanni
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has explained its decision to remain neutral on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, citing the need to maintain unity among its politically diverse members.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich South-South state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
The President also appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator, attributing his decision to prolonged political instability and the vandalism of critical oil installations.
Despite widespread criticism, including from the South-South Governors’ Forum, the NGF has remained silent. In a statement on Saturday, Abdullateef Shittu, Director-General of the NGF, clarified that the forum—comprising governors from various political parties—avoids taking positions on contentious issues that could divide its members.
“The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments, aimed at promoting unified policy positions and collaborating with relevant stakeholders for sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people,” the statement read.
“As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.”
Shittu emphasized that the NGF focuses on governance and policy matters of national importance—such as wages, taxation, education, and healthcare—rather than engaging in partisan disputes.
“Taking positions on contentious partisan issues would reflect a poor sense of history, especially given that the Forum only recently overcame a fundamental division caused by political differences among its members,” he added.
