The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has stated that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, should not be blamed for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Grassroots Parrot reports on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in the oil-rich state, attributing the decision to the prolonged political crisis in the state.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months. The president appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ibas, as the sole administrator.
This move has sparked widespread reactions, with critics accusing Tinubu of siding with Wike and placing the blame solely on Governor Fubara.
READ ALSO: Gov Fubara Breaks Silence Over State Of Emergency Declaration In Rivers
Fagbemi, while speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday, dismissed allegations of Wike’s involvement, shifting responsibility to Governor Fubara.
“There are occasions when it comes to national issues, and we have to come out plainly. Was Wike the one that asked the State Assembly to be demolished? I don’t see the hand of the Minister of the FCT in what happened,” Fagbemi said.
The Attorney-General further pointed out that the Supreme Court had determined that Fubara anticipated an impeachment threat and ordered the destruction of the House of Assembly to prevent it.
READ ALSO: Tension Grips Rivers State Following State of Emergency Declaration
“If the Supreme Court concluded that there was no government in Rivers, then there was nothing a responsible leader could have done other than take the decision made on Tuesday. The President took a very bold decision. As things stand, we have a duty to give maximum respect to the judgment of the Supreme Court,” he added.
Fagbemi also advised those opposing the emergency rule to seek redress through the National Assembly, stating, “If the National Assembly feels what the President did was not okay, he will not have two-thirds support from them. We are expecting that within 48 hours, something will come out.”